The City of Perry recently held an open house regarding the proposed lane conversion project for Highway 144, which would shift 1st Street from four lanes to three, with a middle turn lane.
City Administrator Sven Peterson says the event didn’t have a huge turnout, but he feels the information presented was highly beneficial. “I’ll tell you out front that not everybody left in favor of the project. I think we did educate some people and bring to light some aspects that maybe they didn’t think about it. And there were a few that maybe came opposing the project and left with a better understanding and a willingness to give it a shot. So (it was a) really great event, awesome feedback, (and) I appreciate everybody that came out. It takes passion to actually come out physically to an open house or to a public meeting, and whether you agree with the project or not, I wholeheartedly appreciate people that take the time to show up and provide feedback.”
Peterson says two frequent comments received involved low-hanging trees on 1st Street and a need for sidewalks. People in the agriculture industry pointed out that the trees disrupt the travel of semis and farm machinery on the highway, and they felt reducing the lanes from four to three would compound the issue. Peterson says the City will address the tree issue prior to the lane conversion, bringing them into compliance with Department of Transportation standards. As to the sidewalk concerns, several people expressed the necessity of safe pedestrian paths that extend to the Bar-Jac mobile home park on the north end of the City.
The City Council is expected to make a final decision on the lane conversion in the coming months. The primary purpose of the project is to increase safety on the busy Highway 144 corridor through Perry. To learn more about this project and other City of Perry topics, click the link below to listen to the most recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Peterson.
https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/06/04/lets-talk-dallas-county-6-4-2019-sven-peterson/