Traffic, safety concerns expressed about intersection in north Fountain

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) -- When you live along a corridor that includes a highway and two railroad tracks, noise is only one of the challenges.

A neighbor, Diane Doremus, contacted KRDO 13's The Road Warrior regarding safety concerns at the intersection of Comanche Village Drive and Desert Circle.

Doremus said that the intersection needs a four-way stop, instead of stops signs only on Desert Circle, because of speeding traffic on Comanche Village that has nearly hit kids -- including her disabled adult son, Jonathon.

"He tried to cross the street and a car blew his horn at him as he's trying to cross the street, and almost hit him," she recalled. "Well, that's when I got fed up. I contacted the City Council."

Doremus said that she's disappointed other neighbors aren't supporting her.

"I have talked to my other neighbors and they want nothing to do with it," she explained. "Why? I have no clue. I've talked to all my neighbors around me and everything. They just don't want to be bothered. They just want to live quiet They even called the police on me today, saying that I was causing trouble."

There is no crosswalk at the intersection, and Doremus believes that it needs one because vehicles often travel faster than the 30 mph speed limit.

Other issues, she described: A closed street near the railroad tracks where many drivers turn around, which contributes to traffic congestion; not enough street lights to illuminate the intersection at night (although one is in place there); and the length of time needed to enter or exit Highway 85/87 because of heavy traffic there.

Robert McDonald, the city's transportation director, revealed how officials are working to resolve the situation.

"We have to conduct a traffic study first, and make sure that where where we put the crosswalk is going to be safe and conducive for elderly people with disability issues and things like that, where they can cross the street safely," he said.

McDonald also said that funding from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) would have covered the estimated cost -- between $50,000 and $75,000 -- to make safety upgrades at the intersection; however, that's not an option because Fountain residents voted against joining the organization last fall.