City of Billings Studies Traffic Problems on Elmo Drive

Residents along Lake Elmo Drive in the Billings Heights have brought several safety concerns to the attention of city officials this year. For example, Lake Elmo and Wicks Lane (pictured here) is the only intersection along the three mile stretch of road that has a traffic light. (Michael Marino photo)

by Michael J. Marino

After receiving comments from concerned residents in the Heights, Billings Public Works Department began investigating traffic problems on Lake Elmo Drive earlier this summer. The department created a list of projects and recommendations to improve the road’s safety, detailing their plan in a news release on October 20.

Last month, Billings mother Megan Vaden shared with City Council the story of her son being struck by a driver on Lake Elmo going 35 MPH. Her son sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in addition to other serious complications. From Vaden’s perspective, Lake Elmo is not a main street although it tends to be used as one, and she took issue with the lack of traffic signals as well as the speed limit.

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