HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After being brought up in open forum in the last meeting, the Hutchinson City Council will now take action on whether to change traffic patterns along South Main from Avenue C to Carey Park.

The matter first came up for discussion during the board comments portion for the agenda. Councilman Steve Dechant voiced the idea of eliminating two lanes of traffic on South Main then installing two bike lanes and parallel parking. The change would not cost the city anything since the road is being restriped anyway.

Both Dechant and Mayor Dave Inskeep wanted to bring the matter up for a vote at that time, but several members of the council balked at the idea stating that the matter needed to be brought before property owners along the corridor. A Facebook page was set up over the past week asking for opinions on the matter. Several other letters have come into City Manager John Deardoff’s office. Most are against any change. That includes Tyson, who has a processing plant on South Main. Councilwoman Jade Piros de Carvalho said the council can’t just change something because they are supporters of bike trails or the Complete Streets concept.

The matter got put on the fast track because city public works needs an answer by July 4.

The issue comes before the council Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Hutchinson city offices.