CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A new plan to improve traffic safety in Montgomery County could include road widenings, bike lanes and additional warning signs.

Earlier this month, the County Commission approved the comprehensive safety action plan, which was brought forward by the Highway Department.

Highway Department engineer and project manager Alex Morris told Clarksville Now that his department can now apply for grant money through the Safe Streets for All Act to reach their goal.

Morris said the action plan involves studies on speeding, crashes, traffic volumes and public input. That information is then compiled to highlight problem areas that the Highway Department needs to focus on. Currently, the safety action plan is filled with suggested projects that could be accomplished with those grant funds.

An executive summary of the plan said from 2018 to 2022, there were 5,838 crashes in the unincorporated areas of Montgomery County. Out of those crashes, there were 48 fatalities and 278 serious injuries.

One section of the safety plan highlights 19 high-risk areas and what can be done to enhance them. Here are three examples:

International Boulevard

Since 2018, there have been 91 crashes on International Boulevard, which included three crashes with a fatality or serious injury. There was also one incapacitating bicycle-related crash.

43% of the crashes were non-collision crashes, while 40% of crashes occurred in areas with dark lightning. The safety action plan recommends:

  • Add bike lane with buffer zone (this road connects to State Route 237, which has an existing bike route…).
  • Refresh stop bars and add flashing beacons at Corporate Parkway.
  • Add stop bars at intersection with Industrial Park Road.

Dunlop Lane

Since 2018, the roadway has had 137 total crashes. Four of the crashes involved a fatality or serious injury. Here’s some other relevant crash information for the area:

  • 37% were non-collision crashes.
  • 32% were angle crashes.
  • 30% of crashes occurred in areas with dark lighting conditions.

The plan then suggested:

  • Add stop bar at Michaela Circle (this road serves as an entrance and exit from the subdivision).
  • Add ‘ Curve Ahead’ signs in areas with curves and add chevron signs in areas with sharp curves.
  • Widen road to include three lanes (from Steel Stock Road to Rollow Lane), the road is currently three lanes from International Boulevard to Steel Rock Road.
  • Widen travel lanes to 12′ and add in 8′ shoulders.

River Road

There have been 160 crashes since 2018 on the roadway, including 6 crashes with fatalities or serious injuries.

Data shows 76% were non-collision crashes, 10% were rear-end crash and 52% of the crashes occurred in areas with dark lighting.

The plan suggested:

  • Widen travel lane to 12′ minimum and shoulders to at least 8′.
  • Reconfigure intersection with Richmond Place into T-intersection.
  • Realign intersection with Mayhew Road to correct sight distance issues.

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