Lauderdale County Road & Bridge is planning to install additional traffic control devices after a study of one intersection found more was needed.
In a work session Thursday, Road Manager and County Engineer Rush Mayatt said the study looking at Water Valley Road and Tommy Butler Road was one of two recent studies done for Lauderdale County. Both studies were done in response to residents’ concerns about the safety of the intersections.
Following the study’s recommendation, Mayatt said he will be drawing up plans to install signage and other infrastructure to turn the intersection into a three-way stop. The plan may include signs, flashing lights, rumble strips or a combination to alert drivers that a stop is ahead.
“It does indicate that an all-way stop is needed, as well as some additional signage and possibly the rumble strips indicating a stop is ahead,” he said. “The reason I bring this up is we have not done this since I have been here.”
In addition to the infrastructure, announcements through local media, social media, online and other sources will be sent out to notify drivers about the change. The county will do what it can to educate residents about the change, but it will ultimately be an issue of time for drivers to adjust to the change.
“Ultimately, that’s the path I would choose just because you’re taking a road that people have traveled for countless years, you’re implementing an all-way stop,” he said.
Mayatt said he would choose the three-way stop instead over the study’s second option, installing active warning signs, due to the cost and maintenance the signs would require.