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Resident urges no-passing zone and signage on U.S. Highway 89 near Clyde Park
Summary
Resident Drew Kerrigan told the Park County Commission that the entrance to his home on U.S. Highway 89 is hazardous because a blind turn and changing speed limits create a dangerous passing zone; commissioners said the county has requested a state study and asked for patience while the state evaluates the stretch.
Drew Kerrigan told the Park County Commission on Oct. 28 that the entrance to his home at 1629 U.S. Highway 89 North is dangerously exposed to passing vehicles and rising speeds, and he asked the county to pursue signage and a no-passing designation.
"I request signage for a left hand turn and changes to the passing zones in the interest of safety," Kerrigan said, describing repeated near-miss passing attempts while he waits to turn into his driveway, including when he is towing a 30-foot trailer.
The commission's presiding official apologized for a communication lapse and said the county previously submitted a request to the state to study that section of highway. "We immediately put in a request to the state to do a study on that section of highway to put in a no passing zone and some signs," the Chair said, adding that similar projects have taken about two years to complete.
Kerrigan told commissioners the problem is worsened in winter when plowed snow narrows visibility and that the speed limit climbs quickly from 25 to 45 to 70 north of Clyde Park, creating a short stretch where vehicles reach higher speeds just before his driveway.
The hearing record shows no county action taken at the meeting beyond the Chair's statement that the state has the request and the expectation the state will study the segment. Commissioners directed the resident to remain in contact with county staff; staff also noted that the state highway department is the agency that would implement signage or passing-zone changes.
Next steps: county staff said they will follow up with the state highway department and keep Kerrigan apprised of the study's progress; no timetable for state action was given at the meeting.
