Hampton approves plans for summer street projects

The Hampton City Council continued discussion on traffic enforcement and approved plans for two summer street projects during their regular meeting on Thursday, April 22.

At the meeting, the council acknowledged additional feedback regarding the ongoing discussion about traffic enforcement in the south east part of the city.

Over the last month, Lu Rodemeyer has spearheaded a campaign in support of having additional stop signs placed in the area, collecting feedback and anecdotes from neighbors in favor of installing stop signs to control traffic speeds for the council's public comment portion of the meeting.

During last week's meeting, comments in the opposition were noted as Mayor Russell Wood and council member Dick Lukensmeyer reported on feedback from other people in the area that did not feel signs were necessary.

The city hasn't made a decision on whether or not to install signs yet. Hampton Police have been discreetly and openly patrolling the area to gauge how much traffic enforcement is necessary. For now, the city plans to increase police patrol, with the possibility of using a radar trailer in the area to remind people to watch their speeds.

"I think it's working," said City Administrator Ron Dunt following the meeting. "I think things are better in the south east because of that. They're going to keep watching it."

In other business, the council held a public hearing before approving plans for two street projects in the city.

The PCC Reconstruction project will cement 1st Ave SW behind Kwik Star and Hampton Hardware to better withstand the increased truck traffic on that road.

Additionally, the HMA Street Rehabilitation Project will resurface the 1st Ave NE from 1st St to 4th St, along with 3rd St SE from Central Ave. to 2nd Ave.

Plans for both projects were approved by the council and contracts are expected to be awarded in May.