October 13, 2011
Metro approves new traffic signal for dangerous intersection
The Metro Traffic and Parking Board gave unanimous approval for a new dual traffic
signal that will improve safety at Castlegate Drive and Clearlake Drive West in the
Priest Lake Antioch area. The commission decided Monday afternoon that an intersection that poses visibility problems to motorists, which has been repeatedly denied by Metro, will have a new long awaited traffic signal for both motorist and pedestrian safety.
At the suggestion of the residents and Councilwoman Johnson’s appeal, the board decided to approve a split based signal.
Johnson made a request to appeal three prior denials of a traffic signal at the intersection and made a strong case that the intersection be viewed as one entire intersection even though there are two separate streets involved.
"The most important thing to improve is the safety in this area and to get the traffic signal approved, which the board unanimously agreed to after much discussion," Johnson said.
Residents such as Isaac Okoreeh-Baah shared testimony of a child who died in his hands as a result of not having a traffic signal at that location. Arnett Bodenhamer shared that the community overbuilt without consideration of the current infrastructure.
Other residents who live in the area and the adjacent Metro Council district shared major problems with visibility and having nearly deadly encounters trying to turn onto Smith Springs Rd.
The Traffic and Parking Board’s approval will now move to the Metro Council and Mayor Karl Dean’s office for funding approval. Installation will be scheduled immediately following.
