Shared responsibility

As a new summer season begins there is both good news and cause for concern on a busy stretch of highway passing through Aurora.
Highway 34 has long been one of Nebraska’s primary east/west roadways, and in fact the Nebraska Department of Roads recorded traffic counts averaging between 7,500 and 8,000 vehicles per day through Aurora in 2020. That’s a lot of two-, four- and 18-wheelers, rolling through at all hours of the night and day.
We documents in this space earlier this year that high traffic counts are a magnet for business, which helps explain why more than $4 million has been invested by local businesses either expanding or building new facilities all within a few blocks in the last two years. The change is visible, helping create a healthy, impressive business vibe along that busy stretch of road.
That’s the good news.
The cause for concern dates back decades, as the Aurora swimming pool has long been located in Streeter Park. With a new pool and tennis/pickelball courts added into the equation, that means even more boys and girls of all ages must find their way across Highway 34, often during the busy afternoon hours.
Aurora Police Chief Paul Graham advised teenagers being trained as traffic guards last week that this is one of the most serious jobs they will ever have.
“They understand that this is a serious position and that they are working for the city,” Graham explained. “I feel through the training they understand how the procedure needs to go to get people across that street safely. They know that if there is a semi coming through they are not going to walk out in front of it. We sit out there with them to make sure they are doing it right”
That procedure, for those who may be unaware, is for crossing guards to look for a break in the traffic before hitting the button when someone is ready to cross. Graham emphasized that safety is a shared responsibility between both motorists and pedestrians.
“If there is someone in the crossway you have to stop for them,” he said. “A lot of people don’t realize that’s a violation. Guards are training in how to do that, but motorists need to pay attention.”
Caution signs were set up on the dividing line last week as preparations were made to open the pool. Those signs were hit numerous times, Graham reported, which suggests that motorists need to gear down in the weeks ahead, obeying the 35 mph speed limit and being prepared to stop, quickly.
Safety is a shared responsibility, and the highest possible priority.
Kurt Johnson