Variance granted for Augusta Parkway

Posted 11/7/19

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Variance granted for Augusta Parkway

Posted Thursday, November 7, 2019 3:59 pm

By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorA variance has been granted that allows Warren County to begin maintenance of a controversial stretch of Augusta Bottom Road.However, any improvements to the driving surface on the Augusta Parkway portion won’t be started until the first of January at the earliest.Warren County commissioners voted unanimously to grant the variance Monday following a public hearing that was attended by around a dozen people.Some of those in attendance questioned why the county needed to take over ownership of Augusta Parkway and were concerned about the future cost of maintenance for a road that is primarily used by non-county residents. Commissioners also were asked if more lawsuits similar to what led to the ownership transfer and safety improvements may lead to the county being embroiled in future litigation.Warren County last month took over ownership of Augusta Parkway from the town of Augusta as part of an agreement related to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of a 16-year-old Washington girl who was killed in a traffic accident on the road in 2010.The variance was needed because the county’s road policy, adopted in 2002, prohibits it from owning a road that goes over a levee, dam, or is adjacent to a body of water. In addition, the policy states the county will wait one year when petitioned to assume ownership of a road.The parkway section is flanked by large ponds created by floodwaters and sits on top of a levee, like the remainder of the bottom road in Warren County.As part of a settlement agreement, Warren County is required to complete repairs and safety improvements no later than July 1, 2016. Commissioners have stressed the parkway, about three-eighths of a mile long, will be maintained with a gravel surface similar to the rest of the road that lies in the southeastern part of the county. The section of the road in southwestern St. Charles County is paved with asphalt.Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner, who opposed the county accepting ownership of Augusta Parkway, supported Monday’s action because “taking the road in without a variance would cause a lot of liability.”He also noted that no repairs can begin until Jan. 1 at the earliest since a county cannot take in or vacate a road until the start of a quarterly term, pursuant to state statute. Guardrails and warning signs are planned to be erected prior to the July 1 deadline.The portion of Augusta Bottom Road in Warren County is officially closed — and has been for some time — but drivers continue to use the road on a daily basis.During the public hearing, some county residents spoke about the controversy surrounding the road.“How does this play down the road for the next guy who runs off the road and loses their life?” Bruce Dothage asked. “I feel for them, but how is it Warren County’s fault?”He later commented: “If the road is so bad, why do you drive on it?”Randy Roetemeyer added: “Nobody in Warren County drives that road. There’s not a house on that road that is in Warren County. I have been here for 68 years, been on that road three times. Ninety-five percent of people in Warren County have never been on that road.”Still at least one county resident felt maybe more should be done.“If it’s a highly traveled road, should you treat those to the point where they are the safest and in the best shape?” questioned Wanda Thomas.As part of the settlement agreement, four governments — Warren County, St. Charles County, Washington and Augusta — will each provide funds totaling $80,000 to have guardrails erected in the area of Augusta Parkway.The wrongful death suit was settled earlier this year, with Warren County paying $25,000 and Washington $10,000. It’s unknown how much Augusta paid since a judge ordered the settlement terms to be closed.St. Charles County Councilman Joe Brazil, who attended the hearing with county counselor Greg Dohrman, is glad the lengthy ordeal is now over.“We worked out what the best solution was because it was complicated,” Brazil remarked.

File photo.

Variance granted for Augusta Parkway

Variance granted for Augusta Parkway

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Variance granted for Augusta Parkway

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Variance granted for Augusta Parkway