Sparta
The intersection of Highway 70 and Highway 136 has long been a cause for concern for drivers in White County.
While drivers on the north/south bound Hwy. 136, known locally as Old Kentucky Road, were required to stop for cross traffic, drivers on Hwy. 70, known locally as Smithville Highway, were only cautioned of the dangerous intersection with a flashing yellow light.
Recently, the intersection was given an upgrade with plentiful signage to alert drivers of the changes, courtesy of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Now, all traffic approaching the intersection is required to stop, as is indicated by flashing red lights in all directions along with signs indicating a 4-way stop. Rumble strips, changes in speed limits, and electronic signs are all in place to alert drivers.
“So far, so good,” White County Sheriff Steve Page said, adding that there is a patrol vehicle stationed near the intersection to provide additional visibility as residents, visitors, and commuters all adjust to the new rules of the road. “The safety of this county and all those in it is my utmost concern. I pushed for a change at this intersection – not necessarily a 4-way stop, but something – for the safety of our community.”
While White County residents were initially very vocal about their dislike of the proposed change, since the installation of the new lights, signs and safety measures, many are saying they are seeing it as an improvement.
“I was completely against the stop sign to begin with,” Lee Broyles, who lives in the Cassville area of White County, said. “However, after driving through it multiple times a day since it started, my commute time has not increased. People are definitely more cautious and are paying attention. Everybody I’ve talked to agrees that this was not what we were expecting to happen.”
Amy Jarvis and her family have lived less than a mile from the dangerous intersection on Hwy. 70 for nine years, and she said while she was skeptical about the use of a 4-way stop, she agreed a change of some kind was necessary.
“Living just to the west of that intersection, my family and I go through it may times on a daily basis and I have to say the transition turned out to be no big deal – it was easy,” Jarvis said, adding it may have even made her drive easier. “My drive times to work in Cookeville or into town have not been impacted, and it has become faster and easier to make turns in either direction onto Hwy. 70 from Old Kentucky Rd. So far, I think it’s a great safety improvement for our community.”
Even those who do not live in the west end of White County are finding that the changes haven’t been an issue.
“The new 4-way stop has been a much easier adjustment than I expected. I have only occasionally had to wait behind other cars. At least for now, everyone seems to be slowing down and being more cautious,” Alanna Webster, who drives the road for work, said. “Hopefully, this change will decrease the number of accidents in the area!”
One of the concerns about all traffic being required to stop at the intersection was that there are turning lanes in the east- and west-bound lanes. Many residents vocalized concerns about drivers being confused about whose turn it was to proceed when there were cars in all lanes.
“The 4-way with the turning lanes is not an issue as I thought it would be,” Broyles admitted, “Bottom line is it’s safer and if there is a wreck, it will be a fender-bender not a mass collision.”
Sheriff Page reminded drivers to treat the intersection as they would any other 4-way stop: first to arrive, first to proceed, and, as always, follow the posted speed limits, stay alert, and proceed with caution.
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