RANTOUL – County Commissioner Don Stottlemire said drivers in eastern Franklin County love the new Vermont Road bridge over the Marais des Cygnes River near Rantoul. However, he said they have one quibble – because of the construction project, there is no more guard rail along the road as it goes down the hill to the bridge. Drivers who are used to driving Vermont Road are unsettled because the guard rail is gone and they don’t feel safe. However, county public works director Jim Haag said the state isn’t going to put them in. That part of the road was rebuilt with a “recovery zone” that allows motorists to get back onto the road safely if their vehicles go off the road. The county would have to pay to re-install the guard rails, Haag said. However, Stottlemire said he’d like the commission to consider doing that. The matter will be discussed at a future study session.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 7 a.m.
