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Residents urge speed controls, patrols and a new connector road as commuter traffic surges
Summary
Multiple residents told commissioners that increased commuter traffic on County Roads 175 and 600 — including speed, passing on double yellow lines and school-bus stop-arm violations — is creating daily near-misses; callers urged more patrols, speed signs, a three-way stop and building a new road to divert traffic.
Several Gibson County residents used the public-comment period to press commissioners for road-safety measures as heavy commuter traffic has increased near-misses and aggressive driving.
"We're not trying to stop that, but our shared goal is to find a way to make them safer for everyone," said resident Katie Gaseo, thanking the sheriff's department for engagement and asking for additional speed-limit signage and patrols.
James Hart, who lives on 175 East between State Road 168 and 600 South, urged a speed radar sign and a speed study already scheduled for that segment. "My biggest complaint is speed," he said, describing dangerous passing on narrow roadways.
Several residents said standard enforcement and added stop signs may not be enough. "More patrol is not going to help it. More stop signs aren't going to help it," said Jeremy Gansman, who and other speakers argued an alternate connector (extending County Road 100 to State Road 168) would remove large volumes of commuter traffic and reduce risky driving behaviors.
County staff said two portable speed radar signs are available and that the county would add the three-way stop review at 150 East and 600 South into the existing road-study work. Staff also acknowledged a delay in speed-study reports while the traffic analyst is recovering from an on-duty accident.
Why it matters: Multiple speakers said school-bus safety and daily commuting patterns have degraded neighborhood safety. Requests to the commissioners included temporary and permanent measures: targeted patrols at varied times, portable radar signs, clearer school-bus and driveway signage, and study or construction of an alternative connector road.
No construction decision or new funding was approved at the meeting; staff will incorporate the requested locations into upcoming studies and coordinate with the sheriff’s office on enforcement options.
