Commission approves local traffic changes, directs signs and lower speed on county segment of East Division Road

Wilson County commissioners approved multiple traffic-control measures July 10, including a 25 mph subdivision speed limit in Cedar Creek Village, conversion of the Denise Drive/Brookside intersection to a four-way stop, and a change to 35 mph on the county portion of East Division Road with added signage.

Commissioners discussed inconsistent speed signage on a roadway in Cedar Creek Village and agreed to remove an erroneous sign and post 25 mph at both ends of the subdivision. "The subdivision is actually 25. So what was it gonna do? I'm gonna take that 1 speed limit sign down and put 25 on it and put 25 on the other end," a staff member said.

On Denise Drive at Brookside, Commissioner Fields asked the commission to convert the two-way stop to a four-way stop. Commissioners moved and approved the change after staff confirmed the sheriff's office had been monitoring the intersection.

East Division Road drew extended discussion after residents and staff reported heavy tractor-trailer traffic, frequent crashes, and at least one fatality at the location. The sheriff's office provided crash counts cited in the meeting as "roughly 170" accidents on the county stretch over three years and a larger total with Tennessee Highway Patrol involvement. Staff recommended lowering the county segment from 45 mph to 35 mph and adding signs; commissioners approved that directive.

Staff also provided an engineering/repair estimate for four problematic locations on East Division Road of about $2,500,000'$2,600,000. Staff said a grant application (reapplied with Lebanon and Mount Juliet as partners) could address the corridor but would likely take multiple years to deliver; the county-level work would be a more immediate fix if funds are allocated.

The measures passed by voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to add signage and follow up with cost and implementation plans.