Committee approves short-term safety steps, extends school zone at Indian Lake Road crossing

The Hendersonville Public Works Committee voted to implement Traffic and Safety Committee recommendations aimed at improving safety at the Indian Lake Road and Lake Terrace school crossing.

The committee approved clearing vegetation that obstructs sight lines, extending the school zone farther south, and asking staff to prepare a midyear budget amendment to fund longer-term work such as approximately 200 feet of sidewalk and the possible installation of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB). The motion also called for increased police patrols while work proceeds and for staff to report back to the committee after a trial period.

Staff said the traffic engineerevaluated the location and recommended addressing sight-distance problems first through property maintenance, and, if that did not solve the problem, installing an all-way stop as a short-term fix. The staff presentation noted a relocated crosswalk about 200 feet north of the current position would improve visibility and that a push-button RRFB could be considered when sidewalk placement is funded. "The primary short-term recommendation would be to alleviate the site distance issue through property maintenance," said Sarah, public works staff member. "If that is not possible, the all-way stop control would be recommended as a short-term solution."

Committee discussion noted the multi-way stop did not meet Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants and that a permanent sidewalk and RRFB would require project funding. Staff estimated RRFB installation typically costs between $30,000 and $50,000, and estimated 200 feet of sidewalk plus earthwork could add roughly $15,000 to $20,000, with a midyear budget amendment needed if the committee chose to fund those improvements immediately.

A committee member moved to implement the traffic committee recommendations, extend the school zone, and prepare a midyear budget amendment to fund sidewalk and related improvements; that motion was seconded and passed. Committee members also asked the police department to increase enforcement presence while improvements proceed and requested staff return with an update after implementation.

The committee's actions direct staff to pursue the low-cost changes (sign relocation and vegetation removal) promptly, study the feasibility and cost of sidewalk and RRFB installation, and include the higher-cost items in a midyear budget package for board consideration.