By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
As several intersections have proven in Barton County, even a flashing red light is not enough to stop all traffic that is supposed to stop at an intersection. In October 2025, the Kansas Department of Transportation notified Great Bend of its new High-Risk Urban Road program. During Monday’s city council meeting, Public Works Director David Dunekack appeared before the body to move forward on a contract with KDOT.
“KDOT indicated that Great Bend had 12 eligible locations for systemic application of multiple, low-cost safety counter measures such as enhanced pavement markings, signing, and these stop-controlled intersections,” Dunekack explained.
By December 2025, KDOT and the city had agreed to proceed with improvements at those 12 locations that will include new signage along 24th Street at the Harrison and McKinley intersections, along 7th Street at the Washington and Morton intersections, at Broadway and Morton, and at the Frey Street and 281-Bypass intersection. KDOT will pay for the materials via its Highway Safety Improvement Program.
“The city’s responsibilities are installing the materials within six months of delivery,” said Dunekack, “continued maintenance for the program materials, and 100 percent of the non-participating costs are items and ineligible expenses includes but not limited to furnishing labor, equipment, material or supplies used to consume for the maintenance or repair of the structure.”
Dunekack expects city crews will have the new signage installed within two weeks of delivery from KDOT.