VIENNA — The Maries County Commission at its April 11 meeting reviewed a letter from residents concerned about traffic safety at the northern intersection of Highway 63 and Highway 28 about two miles south of Vienna.

The letter, submitted by Diane and Kristen James and signed by 60 others, was addressed to the county commission, the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and the director of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). It said the individuals who signed the letter were petitioning MoDOT to install flashing yellow light signs with intersection indicators on both directions of Highway 63 at the northern intersection of the highway and the Highway 28 spur.

“As traffic has increased over the years the north intersection has become more dangerous with numerous accidents occurring,” the letter said. “The increased number of large trucks, which are frequently unable to stop in time, has made the intersection even more dangerous.”

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol records, six crashes have happened in the last year that the patrol has listed as either occurring at the intersection or on Highway 63 two miles south of Vienna.

“Over a decade ago, a speed sign was installed indicating a 50 mph curve, on the south side of the intersection,” the letter continued. “This sign is largely ignored by drivers and is occasionally not visible due to tree limbs. To the residents and passing motorists, it is obvious more needs to be done. This intersection is currently fourth on the priority list for Maries County as of October 2, 2023. Until the intersection becomes the first priority, it is hoped the flashing intersection signs will help reduce the risks of the intersection.”

The letter refers to the county’s transportation priority list, which it reviews each fall for presentation to the regional Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). Once the TAC reviews the priority lists of all the counties in the region, it ranks those and presents them to MoDOT for funding.

Last fall, the county commission chose four priorities. The county’s highest priority was the addition of a left turn lane for the southern intersection of Highway 63 and Highway 28 near the Rolla National Airport. The second priority was safety improvements at the “Y” and “T” intersections of Highway 42 and Highway 133. The third priority was safety improvements to Highway 28 throughout the county.

When the TAC voted on regional priorities last December, it chose the southern intersection of Highway 63 and Highway 28 and safety improvements to the intersections of Highway 42 and Highway 133 as high priorities. The northern intersection of Highway 63 and Highway 28 was a medium priority.

Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel said he thought the commission had ranked the intersection lower than other projects because the state’s planned rerouting of Highway 63 in the coming years would make the project less likely to receive funding.

“But that is a bad spot,” he said. “There needs to be something there.”

Presiding Commissioner Victor Stratman said he did not think adding the intersection signs and lights would be costly. He said he planned to call into a TAC meeting that afternoon. He also left a message with MoDOT Area Engineer Preston Kramer to make sure the department knew about the residents’ request.

IT Services

The commission met with four employees of GFI Digital during the April 12 meeting to discuss what IT services the company can offer the county, which has been without IT services for more than one month. Some of the advantages GFI Digital listed for contracting with the company included 24/7 monitoring, working with a team instead of an individual and expediting the introductory process down to a three-to-four-week period.

Stratman told the men that the county commission wanted to listen to the input of some of the other elected officials and their feedback favored the county hiring an individual who would be onsite. Most of GFI Digital’s services would occur remotely. The commission also had concerns about the length of the proposed three-year contract.

After the in-person meeting, one of the men called the commission and offered to add a clause to the contract that would give the county a window each year to request contract termination if GFI Digital failed to uphold its end of the contract. The commission considered this when discussing the advantages and disadvantages of contracting with the company.

The advantages the commission discussed included the availability of several people instead of just one individual. The employees of the company seemed to have a lot of experience and would be able to troubleshoot a range of problems. Contracting with a company would also provide more stability and continuity than having only one IT professional on staff at the courthouse.

Along with the contract length, the commission also had concerns about the cost. The rate for the contract was about $50,000 more than what the county would expect to pay an individual over that period. Other concerns included possible delays in response time and exclusions for equipment related to the 911 system.

Although the commission did not reach a decision last week, Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre said he was ready to make a decision one way or the other because the county needed to start transitioning to new IT services.

Opioid Funds

Maries County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Scott John attended the April 8 meeting to discuss how the county has allocated some of its money from Missouri’s settlements with opioid manufacturers. The county began receiving payments from the settlement last year and will continue to get them for 18 years. At least 85 percent of the money must go toward causes related to the opioid crisis.

John said the county designated between $3,000 and $4,000 for school programs. The rest of the money will likely go toward a program the county jail is doing with Four Rivers Community Health Center in Rolla. The jail receives medications to provide to inmates going through withdrawals. The money also covers the cost of health appointments and transportation for inmates. The number of people in the jail experiencing withdrawal symptoms affects how much money the county will spend on the program.

The prior week, the county commission met with MRPC to discuss establishing an advisory board for the settlement money. The county commission was doubtful about forming a board though it planned to contract MRPC to handle the tracking and reporting of the funds.

Road Flooding

Det. Dale Harp with the sheriff’s office came to the April 8 meeting as a concerned resident. Heavy rains at the beginning of the month caused a culvert on Maries Road 342 to clog, which led to water running over the road like a river. The water eventually reached Harp’s basement and started flooding his home.

Harp asked the commission if there was anything the commission could do to the road to prevent the water from flooding into his home. He asked about a bigger pipe that would not clog.

Drewel said he thought lowering the road would be the solution. Then, the county will add rock. During the next heavy rain, the road will likely wash out. If it stays away from the house, then the county would clean up the road and add a concrete slab.

Bridge Project

The commission received a letter from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. It informed the county that the deadline had passed earlier this month to address possible interference with bat habitats around the construction of the new Maries Road 213 bridge over Fly Creek. The Endangered Species Act signed in 1973 gives federal protection to the habitats.

Stratman made a phone call and left a message to ask if the county could begin the extension process and keep the bridge construction on schedule.

Capitol Day

State Rep. Bennie Cook will host Maries County residents for a day at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 23. Stratman said he plans to attend and offered to provide a ride to people wishing to attend. He said they can contact him if interested. He plans to leave Vienna around 9 that morning.