When the new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens in November, there are expected to be traffic congestion issues on both Mcfarland and Caroline Avenues.
Leon Osbourn, Kaw Valley Engineers, told the Junction City Commission Tuesday night a study indicates there will be 5,500 vehicles per day going in and out of the parking lot at the new store….3,500 from the fueling station and 2,000 from the store. “Walmart didn’t build that store not to be busy. We’re going to be in trouble there folks. ”
Osbourn explained the action that should have occurred. “There should have been additional turn lanes put on the south side of McFarland clear around to Caroline up to their entrance.”
Osbourn said the entrances to Caroline, McFarland, and Walmart should have the turn lanes. “The pork chop out there is going to be an issue. I think if you put a stripe down the middle ( of Caroline Avenue ) you’re asking for trouble because people are going to be totally confused what to do out there.” Osbourn noted motorists are confused now, and on McFarland one of the lanes is only ten feet wide, just one foot wider than a parking stall, “not going to work.”
City officials want a meeting with engineers, and affected businesses that are nearby including Coach’s Grill and Bar, and The Animal Doctor.
Earlier this month the city commission had decided to put two yellow lines down the middle of Carolina, and short left turn lanes near both Ash and McFarland on the south and north ends of Caroline. That would leave some parking space on Caroline near Coach’s Grill and Bar for large trucks and vehicles.
Osbourn noted the parking for those businesses is on their lot. “The City didn’t guarantee them any parking on the street right-of-way. They had to meet a parking ratio when they built their buildings, and they know that.” Osbourn added when the restaurant was designed there was room in back of the building for expansion. “And those are some issued that a business man, if he’s going to stay in business, going to have to bite the bullet and spend some dollars on. I’m not saying that’s going to have to happen immediately, but once Walmart opens up just sit back. It’s going to be interesting.”
Junction City MayorMick McCallister said City officials think the traffic will be a serious problem, and there will be a traffic issue there. “To get out in front of it and get ahead of it we’re going to meet with the engineers and with the folks that did the traffic study and determine what’s the best route we need to go. ”
McCallister also noted some businesses in that area will be affected. “We have to get together and get those folks together and come up with a solution. No matter what that solution is we have to have a better solution that what we have now. ” McCallister said in his opinion the streets involve there need to be widened.
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