In March, The New Falcon Herald began a series on problem intersections in the Falcon area. The first in the series focused on the intersection of Meridian Road and Londonderry Drive; the second focused on the intersection of Flower Road and Meridian Road and the intersection of Bent Grass Meadows Drive and Meridian Road; the third one focused on the intersection of Highway 24 and Garrett Road; and the last focused on the intersection of McLaughlin Road and Old Meridian Road.According to those articles, failure to yield right-of-way and inattentive driving were the leading causes of accidents at each intersection.This month, the NFH focused on the intersection of Rex Road and Meridian Road. According to the Colorado State Patrolís statistics team, failing to yield right-of-way was the cause of 40 percent of the accidents at this intersection since 2013. Exceeding safe speed and improper turns accounted for 20 percent of the total crashes each, and accidents caused by animals or alcohol each accounted for 10 percent.Trooper Josh Lewis said, ìCrashes at this intersection have held steady over the last several years, although there was a slight peak in 2017. Three of these crashes resulted in an injury, while the remaining seven crashes resulted in property damage only.îJim Reid, executive director of the El Paso County department of public works, said with 10 accidents reported since 2013, the intersection is on the priority list, but it is not at the top. ìThe intersection is compliant, but we still want to improve it,î he said. The relatively low number of accidents indicates that people traveling through that area know it is a difficult intersection and are generally acting accordingly.Jennifer Irvine, county engineer for EPC, said the county did a corridor study in 2007 for Meridian Road and looked for improvements the county needs to make through 2027, including the Rex and Meridian intersection. She said the county identified the dip in Meridian Road, north of the intersection, as an area for potential improvements. The dip is caused by drainage in the area, and Irvine said the county will likely put in a box culvert to divert drainage and flatten out the dip.ìThe intersection meets sight standards, but people are just driving too fast right there,î Irvine said.Reid said safety has always been the countyís top priority, and urged anyone with concerns about a certain road or intersection to access the countyís Citizen Connect website, where they can remotely make service requests for both roads and parks within the EPC public works and community services jurisdiction.The Citizen Connect website is https://myepc.kahunasystems.com/#/homepage
