Wellsville council seeks solution for problem with kids and traffic

By Ty Rogers

February 8, 2008 | WELLSVILLE -- Too many children are walking down the road north to school in the mornings and south from school in the afternoons.

Wednesday night the Wellsville City Council invited Deputy Dennis Larson of the Cache County Sheriff's Office to the meeting to discuss the problems with children outside of Willow Valley Middle School. This is extremely dangerous for the kids and creates problems for the traffic. The problem occurs from 200 N. 200 West to 400 N. 200 West.

A month ago, an Eagle Scout suggested to the council that they lower the speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour and put up street signs depicting active children. After discussing all the options with Larson, the council decided to begin with the Eagle Scout's suggestions and move from there. The signs will not go up for some time so increased police patrolling will be very important until things change.

The easiest solution would be to just put a sidewalk in, the problem is a canal runs along the road opposite the school so there is no room for expansion.

The council also discussed numerous other options. First and foremost, Mayor Ruth Maughan asked for increased patrolling around the area. The council suggested school zone street signs with flashing lights as well. Unfortunately, the signs require a long and difficult process with the state to be put in. The road is already off limits to large trucks.

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