Highway Department clamping down on traffic control

GRANTS - Because of a remark made by the Indian Trails Trading Post Manager Ramona Dubois in last week's Tuesday Beacon the State Highway Department took the flea market traffic matter into its own hands, said Delane Baros, the spokesperson for District Six in Milan.

    On Sept. 12 there was a fatal accident involving four vehicles in front of trading post's flea market. Officials stated that the traffic congestion stemming from the market may have contributed to the accident.

    “We read in the Tuesday (Sept. 15) Beacon that the manager (Ramona Dubois) said they could not control the flea market traffic themselves and obviously it has become an issue,” Baros said on Sept. 18, “so we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public.”

    On Sept. 16, one day after the article containing Dubois's remarks, the Highway Department began installing a fence and railing alongside of the road in front of the market area.

    Baros said that Freeman Lusk, owner of the Indian Trails Trading Post, could apply for a permit that could involve turn bays and traffic studies.

    “If applied for, the permit could also include a reduced speed limit in front of the flea market, however, he has not applied,” she stated. “He has talked about getting a permit, according to the traffic engineer, but has not.

    “Mr. Lusk will need to provide parking inside,” Baros said. “He is not being shut down, we are just controlling access to the highway right of way.”

Baros added that parking alongside the road in front of the flea market is for emergencies only, “it is not a practice we would encourage,” she said.

    The Beacon called the Trading Post early yesterday and asked how traffic control was over the weekend and Lusk had no comment.