Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

In addition to asking City Council for $6,500 for another structural study of the Portsmouth city building, Portsmouth Mayor David Malone was to ask City Council to approve the appropriation of $3,450 for payment of a traffic study to be performed at the intersection of U.S. 23 and Argonne Road, during the conference session at Monday night’s Portsmouth City Council meeting.

Malone said on May 23, 2012, representatives of King’s Daughters Medical Center presented the City Traffic Committee with a request that the city consider adding to or changing the traffic lights at that intersection, citing the construction in that area, which KDMC officials say is causing a much higher volume of traffic. Officials say that problems at the intersection are causing a backup in traffic and a delay in getting through the area, which presents a dangerous situation for motorists.

Malone says after making contact with Burgess & Niple, a traffic engineering firm, and getting a proposal for a traffic study, the city met with KDMC representatives again to discuss the financial status of the city and that the city could not assume 100 percent of the cost.

While the study is just the first step in the situation, the proposal from Burgess & Niple is in the amount of $6,900, and KDMC generated a check in the amount of $3,450 for their half of the cost of the study. That check went into revenue line number 101.4690. Malone said he is asking the city for its half to be appropriated to fund 101.115.5299 in order to pay for the services.

In conference sessions, Council can choose from the following actions - authorize this legislation; modify this request; take no action or reject this request.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.