RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Locals want turn lane on 43 north of Jackson
With expansion of New Era Cap Company and the growth in that area, some are concerned that the already dangerous stretch of road will become even more dangerous, resulting in an increase in accidents. "That's a pretty bad area," said Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge. "We have worked a number of wrecks there over the years." Several fatalities have resulted from those wrecks, along with other serious injuries as well as some incidents where serious injury was narrowly avoided. Most recently, a tanker truck crashed near the bottom of the hill after the driver lost control of the vehicle when he changed lanes to avoid a motorist who had slowed to make a left hand turn. "That could have been a lot worse," said the Jackson Fire Department's Assistant Chief Bobby Brooks during the Nov. 14 city council meeting. "Thankfully, no one was seriously injured this time." During that same meeting, Councilman Daron Bolen, who also is a member of the fire department, echoed Brooks' sentiment. "We need a turn lane on that stretch of road due to the number of accidents that occur there," he said. "Through the years that has proven to be a dangerous area." Councilman Robert Marks agreed with Bolen. "I really think we ought to pursue getting the state to consider adding a turn lane in that area," he said. Other council members seemed to be in agreement with them. Mayor Richard Long said, "This must be a state project since it is along a stretch of U.S. Highway. We will continue to work with ALDOT (Alabama Department of Transportation) making them aware of the need for a turn lane in that area. The council is currently in the process of developing a letter which will include the number of wrecks there during the past several years." Rayford Guy knows all too well how dangerous that stretch of road is. Nov. 17 marked the ninth anniversary of his wife, Sue's death there. She was killed when a log truck headed north lost control and jack-knifed, sliding sideways across three lanes of traffic. Sue was headed south on 43 and topped the hill near New Era Cap Company, when she struck the trailer of the truck, killing her almost instantly. "I've spent the last nine years wondering why they haven't done something about widening the road through there," said Guy. "I think it would be a good idea to lower the speed limit in that area as well." Sue's former employer and friend, Ricky Milstead, who owns and operates Jackson Metal Works, agrees. He recently drafted a letter which he sent to the Jackson City Council and Clarke County Commission. In the letter, Milstead said he believes Sue's wreck could have been prevented if there had been a turning lane on that portion of the highway. He points out that there are many businesses and homes located in the area, including his own home. "My family and I have had many 'near accidents' caused from the lack of a turning lane, the 65 mile-per-hour speed limit and the lay of the road causing short visibility," he said. Milstead said by reducing the speed limit and widening the road to include a turn lane will definitely help in decreasing the number of wrecks, resulting in the saving of lives. He named several others people he knows who have lost loved ones or have had a family member seriously injured as a result of automobile crashes on that particular stretch of highway.
Statistics provided by the Jackson Police Department show that during the past four years, 44 collisions have occurred between the intersections of U.S. 43 and West Point Drive, and U.S. 43 and McVay Road (County Road 3). Of those wrecks, 19 resulted in the injury of 34 people, with one being a fatality.
|
for larger version       |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
)
