
Four-way Stop Signs Coming to Third & Park in Sedalia
A big change is coming to 3rd and Park real soon.
At the suggestion of First Ward Councilman Tom Oldham, the Sedalia City Council said yes to a new four-way stop at West 3rd and South Park, at the entrance to Liberty Park.
Oldham said the four-way stop would improve the safety of pedestrians in the area, although he did not highlight any specifics about any pedestrian-related motor vehicle crashes at that intersection.
The speed limit on West Third at that location is 25 miles an hour. And there has always been a two way stop for north and southbound traffic.
“We have an increase in foot traffic there,” Oldham told the rest of the Council, noting that many residents in the First Ward walk to Liberty Park and the Heckart Community Center, and there has been an increase in motor vehicle traffic in the area since the opening of the Heckart Center three years ago today.
He added that Sedalia Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple told Oldham she would like to see a sidewalk on the north side of Third Street.
“So we have several residents in our ward who have come to us (Councilman Oldham and Councilman Robinson) and said they would love to see a four-way stop sign at that intersection,” Oldham said during the Miscellaneous portion of Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Oldham admitted that the idea has already been brought to the Citizen’s Traffic Advisory Committee for their opinion with a split decision.
He also admitted there needs to be an engineering study done at the intersection.
Oldham said he and Robinson wanted to “come to you guys on behalf of the citizens of the First Ward to seek your approval to add new stop signs on the east and west sides of Park Street. To at least add a stop there to increase the safety,” Oldham said. “We would appreciate your help on this.”
It should be noted that incumbent Oldham is currently running for reelection on the Council. He faces Albert Reine, Jr., in the April 8 election.
Oldham made a motion for a four-way stop and Fourth Ward Councilman Steve Bloess seconded the motion.
“It’s not just a normal four-way intersection, it’s also the entrance to the park, and that complicates that intersection.” Bloess stated.
As Mayor Andrew Dawson was preparing to put the matter to a vote of the Council, City Attorney Joe Lauber spoke up & asked if Oldham wants to direct City Staff to conduct a traffic study in support of the proposal, or to go ahead and install stop signs right away.
“If we were to wait on a traffic count, we could be looking at several months down the road before it comes back to us,” Oldham stated, adding that adding stop signs now will increase safety on West Third, as the only other current traffic control devices are at Grand and Limit. “It will add more safety to the area,” he promised.
Mayor Dawson responded by saying that the appropriate action is to direct staff to draft an ordinance for Council’s consideration at the next meeting.
Oldham agreed, but stressed the urgency of getting more stop signs installed at the intersection.
Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller said he would prefer to see flashing stop signs installed, just like the ones at 32nd and Clarendon. Those sport bright mini-lights flashing on & off around the perimeter of the octagonal-shaped sign and are highly visible, especially at night.
“People, by habit, are going to zoom through that intersection, and by zoom, I mean they’re not going to stop at it,” Hiller predicted.
A voice vote of the Council confirmed Monday night's action unanimously. They will vote on the new ordinance at the April 7 meeting, one day before the April 8 City Election.
3rd & Park Stop Signs
Gallery Credit: Randy Kirby
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