Riley County commissioners Monday morning approved 2-0 the installation of a streetlight at the intersection of College Avenue and Marlatt Avenue north of Manhattan.
One commissioner, Marvin Rodriguez, was absent.
County Public Works Director Leon Hobson said a recent article in the newspaper concerning the intersection led officials to give it a look.
“I don’t know if you did see in the paper, but there was a question as to why there wasn’t one at this intersection when there was one at Browning and a couple over at Denision,” Hobson told commissioners. “So following that article, we did go out and we did take a look. And it is a rather dark intersection at night with the trees and the power poles blocking some of your vision and what not.
“So, our analysis of it is that it is worthy of having a streetlight put up there and it would definitely improve the safety of that intersection.”
Commission Chairman Ron Wells told Hobson he had no reservations.
“I’ve never had a problem with that intersection — I don’t drive it that often — and I’d prefer a memorandum of understanding that the city put that in, but I realize that’s county, so I’m fine with it,” Wells said.
Commissioner Ben Wilson asked for further clarification on other streetlights.
“We are providing the ones at Denison, but we’re not providing the ones at Browning, because Browning is within the city limits,” Hobson answered.
There will be no cost for the streetlight’s installation. The only cost to the county will be a monthly charge of $28.
