Traffic Light Riverside/Stephen Richards

On Tuesday the Planning Commission had an interesting issue regarding traffic and Thunder Mountain High School. The permit allowing the high school to open says that they have to have a traffic light at Riverside and Stephen Richards. The city asked the planning commission to repeal that condition because 1) they would not be able to do it before school is supposed to open in September and 2) they argued we don't need it anyway, since the school is smaller than originally planned.

Now a light has just been installed at the entrance to the HS on Riverside. And Stephen Richards has been a problem intersection, even before the HS. The city staff argued they could cover the traffic problem with a no- left-turn sign from Stephen Richards to Riverside. But that wouldn't solve the issue of pedestrians (especially children going to Floyd Dryden or Glacier Valley).

Ultimately, the Planning Commission overruled the city and said a light (or a roundabout) would have to be installed, but in the meantime they could have a stop sign or crossing guard.

I agree with the decision. A light (with a button for pedestrians) is a much better solution to that intersection.