Quick action needed at junction

In many ways, despite all the growth that has occurred in the past 25 years, Flathead County is still a very large small town.

We celebrate our victories together, and we mourn our losses together.

That's why the death of a 14-year-old boy at the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 82 in Somers last week has shaken this community.

There has been an outpouring of grief from not just his friends and family, but from strangers. Everyone wants to do what is necessary to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

Young Dane Shattuck died while crossing the highway on his bicycle, but it is also a dangerous intersection for drivers turning left and for pedestrians.

Ironically, as a result of a state law intended to acknowledge that U.S. 93 has become safer in recent years, the speed limit on the highway was increased this week to 70 mph. Yes, there have been many improvements on the highway that justify increasing the speed overall, but there is no way to justify a speed limit of 70 mph at this particular intersection.

The state Department of Transportation needs to address safety issues at the intersection on an expedited basis, not at the typical glacial pace of most bureaucracies.

One step that could happen quickly is a proposal before the state Transportation Commission to lower the speed limit to 55 mph at that location. That is scheduled to be considered in August.

It would be a good start, but the commission ought to consider lowering the speed limit to 45 mph through the entire intersection area in order to maintain continuity with the 45-mph limit that begins just south of there.

The state is also evaluating whether a traffic light is needed at the intersection. We would argue that it probably does, and we are sure that most of the neighbors in that area would insist it does.

Unfortunately, a traffic engineer employed by the state said recently that the study is just beginning and could take as long as two years to complete.

The question is: Just what does the state hope to learn?

We already know the intersection is unsafe. We also know that housing development in Somers and Lakeside will substantially increase traffic through this intersection in coming years.

Let it be understood that a traffic light is not going to prevent accidents or even future deaths. Highways are inherently dangerous. But for children crossing the highway on bikes, for pedestrians, and for cautious drivers, a light could mean the difference between life and death.

A community meeting to discuss the intersection and traffic safety will be held in the Somers Middle School gym at 7 tonight.