Speed bumps on Lost Lodge Road to be altered

By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer

The Burnside City Council has seen its share of bumps in the road over the years, but rarely quite so literally as in the days leading up to the March meeting.

The council decided to eliminate a couple of speed bumps on Lost Lodge Road after local citizens had complained that the obstructions were damaging their vehicles.

In the February meeting, members of the Harmony Fellowship Baptist Church located just off of Lost Lodge Road complained about a set of four bumps which made getting to the place of worship difficult and and were damaging the underside of their vehicles.

There were two bumps on each side of the entrance to the church’s driveway, although one of them had worn down to a fraction of its original size. The speed bumps were put in place a few months ago after Lost Lodge Cottages owner Dona Howard had pointed out that drivers were speeding down the road, despite the presence of a stop sign just before the resort.

Prior to the March meeting, Burnside councilors went out to inspect that speed bumps. Councilor Dean Lovins measured them and drew a map illustrating the layout of the street to make it clear for the other city officials. Lovins measured the bumps at two-feet-wide and about four inches tall, although councilor Brian Watson said they were only about a foot wide.

Whatever the dimensions, the conclusion was the same: the bumps need to change.

“It’s my opinion that there are too many — we don’t need that many speed bumps,” said Lovins. “However, I know there’s a safety issue with people speeding up and down there, and children out playing in the summertime when (Lost Lodge) is open. So we certainly ought to take that into consideration.

Lovins’ initial proposal was taking out three bumps, resulting in “one speed bump in the center” of the road, and the placement of a stop sign on the other end of the road. However, Lost Lodge Road has no outlet, making it less necessary to have another stop sign heading toward U.S. 27.

Eventually, the council decided to take out the first speed bump after the stop sign at the turn-off to the nearby apartment complex, and fully remove the partially worn-down one, and leave two speed bumps — one on each side of the entrance to the church. These would also be widened to make them a less of a shock on vehicles (for instance, mayor Chuck Fourman said the speed bumps at his business, Villager Resort, were each three feet wide).

“I think there’s a problem with people running the stop sign that is there,” said councilor Dic Gaskin, “but a speed bump is definitely going to slow you down. With the stop sign, it’s up to the driver to slow down.”

Councilor Brian Watson added that extra traffic is coming through Fountain Way, which connects to Lost Lodge Road farther up the street.

“There is a gate there, but (drivers) have been using the dirt that’s been cleared off for construction work as a through-street (to another nearby subdivision), which it’s not,” said Watson. “They’ve been driving around the gate. ... That’s why we’re getting a lot of traffic that’s not necessary.”

The council also decided the bumps were too difficult to see, and needed to be painted yellow so drivers could spot them ahead.

Councilor Ron Jones asked if removing the speed bumps could result in any safety liability issues for the city, but attorney Dan Thompson stated that as long as it’s done for a rational reason, there should be no problem cutting the number of bumps in half.

The council — minus Craig Richardson, who was absent — unanimously passed the measure.

Earl Owens, a representative of the church, seemed pleased about the decision and thanked the council for doing something about the problem. Members of the church had stated at last month’s meeting that they’d like to see all the speed bumps completely removed.

“I think (widening them) will help a whole lot,” he said.

In other city council business:

• Fourman gave an update on the completion of sewer system construction for customers located along Ky. 90. Fourman said work was “about 40 percent done,” and sewer lines now stretched all the way down to the Pitman Creek pump station.

When completed, likely within the next four or five months, this so-called “Phase II” is expected to give virtually the entire population of Burnside sewer access.

• Local attorney Winter Huff asked the council to consider allowing a temporary easement on property near the railroad track along Antioch Church Road for construction of a locomotive crew change station. It’s been difficult to determine whether or not the City of Burnside or Pulaski County owns the property, so both parties were to be asked permission, which was granted.

• The council discussed going out for bids for the mowing and maintenance of parks and city property. The council decided that only those submitting bids for the whole project would be considered, as opposed to those who sent estimates for only portions of the job the city had requested in the past.

• April was declared PRIDE Spring Clean-Up Month by the City of Burnside. Fourman strongly encouraged citizens to participate, particularly with the major city clean-up effort on Saturday, April 17.

“We get used to hearing about (the clean-up projects), and no one gets involved,” he said. “It’s important ... (and I) encourage everyone to get out and do their part.”

Those participating in the clean-up will receive rosebud tree seeds, a t-shirt, and a lunch. There will be goodies available for any children present as well.

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