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Residents and aldermen press for school-zone flashing signs and temporary traffic calming
Summary
A resident urged speed bumps on Stump Road and aldermen discussed pursuing a Safe Routes to Schools TAP grant while considering a near-term appropriation for flashing school signs; staff cautioned grant processing may take up to two years and said HR Green/MoDOT scope changes may be needed for sidewalk adjustments.
Traffic and pedestrian safety featured in staff communications and public comment at the Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen meeting. Public commenter Joel King of Tucson Drive urged the board to install speed bumps on Stump Road, describing drivers using a closed portion of the road to shorten trips and calling the corridor a potential "racetrack." He also suggested building a sidewalk from Tucson Drive north to Fisey on the east side with a crosswalk to protect trees and save city money.
Alderman Mike proposed placing an appropriation on the next agenda to upgrade school-zone signs to flashing signs based on patrol-officer recommendations and ticketing data. City staff and Tom noted the city is pursuing a TAP Safe Routes to Schools grant through East-West Gateway and MoDOT, but cautioned the grant process can take one to two years. Staff said interim measures such as temporary rubber speed bumps are within budget and can be considered after traffic counts and a post-project traffic study. Board members also discussed whether removing a second sidewalk on the east side would jeopardize the project and whether tree roots would be affected; staff recommended asking HR Green to run scope-change options by the MoDOT representative in the next project update meeting.
What happens next: Alderman Mike said he would seek an appropriation at the next meeting to add flashing school-zone signs, and staff will pursue the Safe Routes to Schools grant and follow up with HR Green and MoDOT about sidewalk scope and tree-impact options.
Quotes: "If you don't think they're gonna speed, let me tell you, they will," said Joel King of Stump Road. Tom (city staff) described the Safe Routes to Schools TAP grant and cautioned it may take a couple of years to process through East-West Gateway and MoDOT.
