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Officials discuss turn-lane arrows, intersection markings and access underpass; federal fence rules affect reopening
Summary
Council heard updates on traffic management, including requests to add turn arrows and a possible traffic-signal modification; city staff said federal rules requiring beverage/food facilities to be fenced complicate reopening a street and underpass access.
City staff and the police chief reported that temporary traffic-signal adjustments and toggling signal phases have helped traffic flow through town, but several problem spots persist.
A staff member said the city is seeking a second quote to install a turn-lane arrow at Brock’s; the first quote was high but under the $10,000 threshold that would require formal bidding. The staff member also said pavement markings at the Memorial Building intersection have faded and the city has requested the state marking contractor to refresh them; in the interim the city will purchase rubberized decals and paint on a warm day to restore turn arrows.
On the traffic signal at the eastbound approach, staff said an engineer and state representative suggested substituting the current flashing yellow/green sequence for a dedicated turn arrow configuration (separate yellow and green turn-arrow phases). “I think that's what's confusing a lot of people,” the staff member said, and added that any change ultimately requires approval from the state traffic authority in Knoxville.
Councilors and residents also discussed reopening a street currently closed because a nearby food or beverage facility is secured by a fence. A resident asked whether the underpass behind Pine could be opened to restore a second emergency route after another exit was temporarily closed. City staff said a federal requirement prompted the fence and that any reopening could require installing new gates or moving the fence, and noted potential loading-dock conflicts and the need to avoid violating federal rules.
Staff said gates can be opened for emergencies with the property owner’s permission and that they will research whether fence adjustments or new gates could create safe, lawful access for residents and emergency vehicles.
