There is a dangerous stretch of K-177 Highway running between Council Grove and Interstate 70 that has been the site of multiple accidents over the years, and in recent weeks two severe accidents. There is also concern coming from the public about vehicles speeding on that roadway, and vehicles passing other vehicles in no passing zones.
The entire issue received attention at a Geary County Sheriff’s Department Town Hall meeting at the McDowell Creek Community Center Wednesday evening. Sheriff Daniel Jackson noted that his department is making sure that they’ve got people ( Deputies ) out there, and said that they know it is a dangerous highway. He told the town hall meeting that in the two severe accidents in October speed was not a factor and that his department had made 12 traffic stops on K-177 last month.
Upgrading the highway has been the subject of discussions between the Kansas Department of Transportation and state legislators but it was noted in the town hall session that unless the speeding is reduced, redoing K-177 won’t work.
State Representative Dave Baker is pushing KDOT for information on when improvement work on the highway could occur. “We’re trying to move the start date up on the project there on 177. They have it scheduled out for another year or two, and probably actually for another two or three years out. We’re going to work with KDOT to try and move that forward a little bit.”
Baker noted that acquisition of 20 more properties needs to occur. “And they say that’s going to take a year to do and we’re hoping that’s going to be shortened up.” The state representative noted that the worst stretch of the roadway is in Geary County, “which is a real problem, just as far away from the Geary County Sheriff’ Department as you can get and the EMS, and nobody likes working those accidents.”Baker added no one is very happy about K-177. “We have got to get that road fixed.” State Representative Lonnie Clark has also met with KDOT officials recently on this issue.
Sheriff Jackson told JC Post that his department will try to increase enforcement on K-177. “We’re already out there now but as we can we will increase enforcement out there and try to get the people to slow down.” Jackson added that he thought the Sheriff’s Department would reach out to the Kansas Highway Patrol and KDOT about the possibility of putting rumble strips down the middle of the highway to slow down motorists. That was one idea that was mentioned during the town hall.
Approximately 50 people attended the session at the McDowell Creek Community Center where they learned about Sheriff’s Department activities and had an opportunity to ask questions and voice their thoughts on issues.