By Chris Post / Editor-In-Chief

Following a vehicle-pedestrian collision that left a Missouri Valley University student with critical injuries, many in the Marshall community are asking why nothing has been done to make the crosswalks safer. Marshall City Administrator J.D. Kehrman placed the lack of action squarely on the Missouri Department of Transportation. 

“MoDOT is well aware, and there is a real resurgence of local interest following this tragedy,” Kehrman said. 

Morrow Street, where the incident took place, is on the campus’s south side, between Burns Athletic Complex and the football stadium. What many may not know is that the street is actually Missouri State Route WW. This means that even though it is within Marshall’s city limits, it is largely controlled by MoDOT. 

Kehrman said that, looking at the area, drivers might notice that street light poles are installed 15 feet or more from the street and the pedestrian crossing signs are mounted on square wooden posts. These are all indicators that MoDOT has and is enforcing a right-of-way on the street. 

Kehrman, who took his current position in 2021, said his office has been in contact with MoDOT concerning the crossings since 2022. He said he became involved because university staff had been unsuccessful in their own efforts for years prior. 

While Marshall has no authority to take action on the street, Kehrman said he has been asking MoDOT to provide specs that would allow Missouri Valley to install signs with flashing lights near the two crosswalks on Morrow Street.

Kehrman said since the incident last week, others are joining the effort. He said Marshall Police Chief Mike Donnell and Municipal Services Director Randy Cornine have also been reaching out to their contacts within MoDOT.

Kehrman said Saline County Prosecutor Tim Thompson has put together a task force to examine the issue. He said the group has involvement from the city, the university and Missouri State Senator Curtis Gregory. 

Although the city’s hands are tied when it comes to Morrow Street, it does have control of College Street, which runs along the north side of campus. He noted that lighting is already better in this area because the light poles are closer to the street.

Kehrman said plans are being made to improve crosswalk signage and reduce the street’s speed limit to 15 miles per hour. He said the hope is that by leading by example, the city can place additional pressure on MoDOT to make changes on Morrow Street.