Walker Valley Road intersection safety improvements urged

photo A van waits at the intersection of Walker Valley Road and Lauderdale Memorial Highway, which is part of the State Route 308 corridor in Bradley County, Tenn. The intersection has the been the site of recent accidents.
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Intersection

Intersection

CHARLESTON, Tenn. - Bradley County leaders would like the state to make safety improvements at the Walker Valley Road intersection with Lauderdale Memorial Highway, part of the State Route 308 corridor.

In a recent meeting, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis and county commissioners recently discussed the problem intersection near Walker Valley High School.

"That's where the wrecks are at," Davis said. "We had a bad one the other morning, and there is one about every week there. The only thing that's going to help it is a light. We have five lights on that road, but not [at] that intersection."

The intersection saw two serious accidents within three days last week, according to county emergency officials. Three vehicles -- one of which went down an embankment -- were involved in an Oct. 23 wreck that triggered a call to Erlanger's Life Force air ambulance. That was just two days after three people were hurt in a crash there.

A year or so ago, the Tennessee Department of Transportation approved a number of new traffic signals on Lauderdale Memorial Highway between North Lee Highway and exit 33 at Interstate 75 at exit 33, Davis said.

However, no signal was approved for Walker Valley Road, he said.

Commissioner Jeff Yarber wondered if the county should ask the state to lower the 55 mph speed limit on the highway.

Davis said it's not just speed, but the intersection is on a slope.

Cars come down the hill fast, and if someone pulls out in front of them, "it's just bad," he said.

Although Walker Valley High School's 35 mph traffic zone comes within yards of the intersection, its ability to calm traffic can do only so much, he said.

The Oct. 23 accident occurred at 7 a.m. before the school zone activated, Davis said.

A local business owner said he'd like to see guardrails on the northwest side of the intersection.

"An accident last week destroyed my business sign, and the driver had no insurance to pay for its replacement," said David Martin, owner of Absolute Transmission.

Commissioner Thomas Crye said he has received many complaints about the teenage drivers on Lauderdale Memorial Highway, especially when school lets out in the afternoon.

"The young people are driving like they are on a racetrack," he said.

An increased number of wrecks at the intersection is "a bad thing," but it boosts the county's argument for the state to put in a traffic signal, Davis said.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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