Algood conducting a traffic study to find solutions for the Big Mac Drive, Main Street, Burton Branch Road corridor.
Algood Mayor Lisa Chapman Fowler said additional restaurants in the area have increased traffic significantly, as did the second Wal Mart exit. Chapman Fowler said the study will help the city determine the best way to improve safety.
“I don’t know what the answer will be,” Chapman Fowler said. “If it would be a left turn only, if we would need to have the lights reconfigured at that intersection. I’m just not sure how we’ll handle that.”
Developers are looking at several other parcels in that area, including a space adjacent to the new Baskin Robbins. Chapman Fowler said she wants the city to be prepared for increased traffic. She said she does not want to see any injuries or traffic accidents result from a larger volume of cars.
Chapman Fowler said the Big Mac Drive area is not the only concerning traffic area.
“Everyone still has a complaint about Quinland Lake Road where it intersects there with Highway 111,” Chapman Fowler said. “Mirandy Road is the same way. Of course, those are state regulated things and those are through T-DOT, but we always make the ask anyway if they would consider lighting or traffic signals at those intersections.”
Chapman Fowler said there has been a problem with speeding near the elementary school. Another issue is a lack of crossing guards.
Chapman Fowler said she did not want police officers to step away from their jobs to direct traffic for a couple of hours a day. Chapman Fowler said some have argued crossing guard pay is too low to fill a position, but she has looked into the cost herself.
“I think it’s comparable, even better maybe than fast food or anything else than I could think of,” Chapman Fowler said. “So I spoke up and said it has nothing to do with that. We’ll be happy to pay somebody.”
