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Kearney signal work to begin next week
Replacing traffic signals on US 287 at Kearney Street will get underway next week now that workers have moved curbs out at each corner to accommodate the structures.
The Texas Department of Transportation says during this phase of the project the old traffic signals will be taken down, and the intersection will not be stop-controlled on US 287. In other words, highway traffic will not stop at the intersection. Temporary stop signs will be installed on the north and south sides of Kearney Street.
“While the new signal structures are being installed, the intersection of US 287 and Kearney Street will function similarly to other non-signalized intersections throughout Clarendon,” said Matt Herbstritt, TxDOT Childress Area Engineer. “Through-traffic on Kearney Street should take extra care to make sure the intersection is clear and safe to proceed before crossing US 287. Motorists can expect the new traffic signals to be installed and fully functional within a few weeks.”
Curbs have been moved out into Kearney Street at the intersection as part of this job, which has caused a lot of conversation around town and raised concerns about traffic safety and the ability of vehicles to negotiate turns going downtown.
Herbstritt says the changes were due to space requirements for the new signal structures and required ADA ramps.
“We ran into a limited amount of space for traffic structures and ADA ramps,” Herbstritt said. “In order to make things fit, we moved the structures out.”
The initial curb installation left a 90-degree curb jutting out between two ramp openings, but Herbstritt said that is going to be changed.
“We’re to take down that corner and give it slight radius and flatten those points,” he said.
In addition, the TxDOT project will improve access to sidewalks at the Donley County State Bank entrance and at the former Bivens Pharmacy building.
The project will also include the installation of pedestrian crosswalk lights, push buttons, and audible messages to make the intersection safer and fully ADA compliant. LED safety street lights will be installed, and the new signal poles will feature lighted street signs as well.
The new signal system itself will have a flashing yellow arrow for left turns off US 287. This new type of turn signal is intended to create a safer, more efficient left turn movement. When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow means that a vehicle is allowed to cautiously enter an intersection to make the left turn indicated by the arrow, but the driver must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding with caution.
Herbstritt said a solid green left arrow can only be installed when traffic studies warrant one. Traffic turning onto Kearney is not currently heavy enough for that, but he said the system would allow for that in the future if conditions change.
Broncos win bi-district title
The Broncos shook off the loss to Wellington in their last regular game of the season to defeat Vega in Hereford, 36-14, last Friday night.
The win puts them at 10-1 for the year and gave them the Class 2A Division II Bi-District Title. Clarendon will play for the Area Championship on Friday, November 24, against Bovina at Kimbrough Stadium in Canyon at 2:00 p.m.
“I thought our guys played very good after the first six minutes of the game,” first year head coach Clint Conkin said. “We started off slow but finished with a win.”
The Broncos put up good stats in the game as they had 364 total yards of offense. Three hundred eight of those yards were rushing yards. Daquawne Oliver had 23 carries on the night for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Oliver scampered 45 yards in the first quarter to put the Broncos on the board and go up by a point after the bonus. Oliver had a run of two yards in the second and the final TD from five yards out.
Ryan McCleskey had a big night running the ball going 105 yards on seven carries, which included on 71-yard run for a touchdown. Preston Elam caught a 19-yard pass from brother Noab for the other Bronco score.
Damarjae Cortez carried eight times for 25 yards and had two catches for six yards with two conversions, and P. Elam had three carries for 30 yards and caught a pass for 20 yards. N. Elam was five for 10 passing for 36 yards for one TD and two conversions.
Colt Wood had one catch for 20 yards, and Andy Davis snatched a pass for nine yards.
The Bronco defense was strong all night according to Conkin.
“Our defense played great once again,” he said. “We held Vega to 154 yards rushing and 41 passing. We had several guys flying around making tackles. Andy Davis and Damarjae Cortez both had an interception on defense, and Justin Christopher also recovered a fumble.
“I am very proud of the way our guys fought to win the Bi-District Championship,” Conkin said.
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Broncos focusing on playoffs
The Broncos went up against Wellington, who is a top ten team in the state rankings, last Friday night and were defeated 0-49.
The Broncos finished District play in second place to the Skyrockets and will have a playoff game in Hereford Friday night at 7:00 p.m. against Vega.
Things just did not go well against Wellington last Friday night according to head coach Clint Conkin.
The Broncos’ rushing yards, which have been great all season, only amounted to 42 yards against Wellington. Daquawne Oliver, who has been unstoppable, carried the ball six times for only three yards on the night.
Damarjae Cortez has also racked up several yards for the year was stopped at 11 yards on seven carries.
Dalton Benson carried the ball six times for 13 yards, and Ryan McCleskey had eight carries for 20 yards.
Noab Elam was seven of nineteen passing for 76 total yards. Cortez, Preston Elam, Colt Wood, Andy Davis, and Benson each had catches on the night. But the Broncos were unable to find the end zone.
“Our defense played well,” Conkin said. “We had several guys with tackles. We just have to regroup and get ready for the playoffs.”
The Broncos finished their regular season at 9-1 and were 4-1 in District play.
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