Resident urges traffic signal or crossing guards after student hit near Hermiston High; council to study intersection options

A Hermiston resident told the City Council Monday that drivers frequently speed and students sometimes cross without clear protection at the four-way stop near Hermiston High School and urged installation of a traffic signal or, at minimum, crossing guards after a young person was struck there.

Kelly Finch, who said she lives on South First Street near the high school, told the council she was not a witness to the collision but that “a young person was hit crossing that street.” Finch described recurring speeding and driver impatience on the block and asked the council to consider a stoplight or mandatory crossing guards and for additional police patrols.

Councilors discussed the history of traffic counts and engineering thresholds for signals. City Manager Smith recommended allowing staff time to collect engineering information and suggested scheduling the item a month away to permit a full technical review. “I would plan to put that item ... a month away so we can do all the research that we need to,” Smith said. Councilors noted previous traffic counts had not met signal warrants but agreed the council should revisit options.

Councilor Litton asked that the council consider all options for the intersection rather than limit discussion to a traffic signal; the council approved adding the matter to a future agenda. The council recorded the motion to add the item as approved by roll call; the motion passed unanimously.

The council did not make an immediate change to traffic controls at the intersection. Staff will return with engineering studies and options for the council’s consideration; the transcript notes the street is a city street and that Oregon Department of Transportation involvement is not required for this location.