Sedgwick County officials said Wednesday they are looking at two intersections with high accident rates to see what safety improvements can be made.

One intersection is at 21st Street North and 167th Street West.   Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Colonel Brian White said the intersection has had 50 accidents over the past ten years, including three fatal crashes that resulted in four deaths.    County engineer Lynn Packer said a placard was installed below the stop signs at the intersection to inform motorists that cross traffic does not stop.  Packer said a new study is underway and the county will be looking at short-term actions and long-term solutions to safety concerns.

The other intersection is 79th Street South and Greenwich Road.  White said there have been 42 crashes at the intersection during the past decade, with one fatal crash.   Packer said a formal study has not been done for that intersection, but larger stop signs and flashing beacons were installed there in recent years.    Packer said any recommendations from the new study will be very deliberate and very calculated, making sure that these are the appropriate steps to avoid making the situation worse.

Sedgwick County commissioners David Dennis and Jim Howell said it will be important to listen to the experts and follow the data from the study.   They said they have heard concerns from county residents and they are looking at the situation.    Dennis said the county would also be working with the Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Transportation, and he said it will be important to know what the next steps are and what the right next steps are.     Dennis and Howell said most of the accidents that have happened at the intersection have been the result of human error, and they are urging people to drive safely.

[ photo shows intersection of 21st Street North and 167th Street West ]