(WICHITA, Kan.) — Concrete barriers, dangerous U-turns and unmarked back road entrances.
A church in Andover has been dealing with problems for months, since the city added a raised median along the 21st street corridor.
The city says it's planning for the future. But in the present, members of Peace Lutheran Church are frustrated by the lack of access.
Last year, construction began on a raised concrete median along 21st between Andover Road and 159th St. E. The long term goal is to handle increased traffic from expected commercial development. The median may look nice, but for drivers along the busy road it's created more than a few headaches.
"(The city) Didn't give us a chance to do any input on it in the very beginning at all," said Dennis Hein, a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Hein said when the city added the median, it took away a key entrance point to the church.
Andover church frustrated by raised median works with city
It's now impossible for traffic from the east to turn directly into the church. There is a back entrance off nearby Marc Street, but many visitors to the church aren't familiar with it.
"All we've asked for is two signs to help direct people into our south driveway," Hein said.
The city posts similar arrowed signs for schools, libraries and parks. But officials say the city isn't in the business of supplying directional signs for churches or private businesses.
"The church could come to the city council and ask to place their own sign on the public right of way and I think that's probably the option we're down to now," said Andover Public Works Director Les Mangus.
Mangus added the council has made similar exceptions in the past for organizations like the Kiwanis Club and he expected the church would be granted one as well. If it happens, the church would need to purchase the sign and the city would likely install it, Mangus said
The church is scheduled to make its case to the Andover City Council at the final meeting of the month.Back in February, Eyewitness News reported on a similar access problem for the Quail Crossing subdivision. That has since been resolved after the city created a break in the median.
Andover church frustrated by raised median works with city
