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Greensburg council seeks cost estimates after repeated truck damage to W. Illinois Avenue
Summary
Councilmembers heard that chip-sealed W. Illinois Ave. and the 100 block of N. Grove St. have deteriorated under heavy truck turning and overnight parking; the council requested ballpark replacement and repair estimates and traffic counts before deciding whether to rebuild, close, or limit truck parking.
City staff told the Greensburg City Council on Feb. 17 that W. Illinois Avenue and the 100 block of N. Grove Street have sustained repeated damage from heavy trucks turning to reach nearby businesses and from overnight parking. Administrator Stacy Barnes said the sections are chip sealed rather than full-depth asphalt and are not holding up to current truck traffic, and that much of the adjacent land is owned by the Kansas Department of Transportation, which has long-range plans for a four-lane expansion through town.
Barnes said barricades had recently been placed around a large hole behind the tree row near Cornerstone Fellowship Church and that prior investments by KDOT and the city have not produced lasting repairs. "There have been many internal conversations for several years on how to maintain W. Illinois Ave. and the 100 block of N. Grove St.," Barnes told council members, noting options including overlay, rebuilding from the base up, or closing a portion of the street.
Councilmembers described the traffic as mostly non-resident truck traffic turning to access Quick Pick or parking overnight. Councilmember Jason West said some of the alligator cracking and holes align with old utility cuts and urged more aggressive sweeping and edge repairs to slow deterioration. Councilmember Mark Trummel and others suggested seeking cost estimates and traffic counts before committing city funds; Public Works Superintendent Mick Kendall has been talking to a local road company but staff had not yet received pricing.
Possible mitigation ideas discussed included: posting a "No U-turn" sign on Bay Street; limiting truck parking to commercial and industrial zones (which are currently allowed); exploring a dedicated truck lot (with questions about land ownership, maintenance and insurance); and closing or converting segments of Illinois Avenue to one-way. Police Chief Dennis Davis said enforcement of parking rules is tied to zoning and signage.
Council reached consensus to gather ballpark replacement and repair estimates and, if useful, a traffic count to estimate overnight truck use (staff has counted as many as 20 trucks on some nights). No formal vote or ordinance was adopted; staff will return with cost options for council consideration.
