Monterey Committee Discusses Dairy Queen Intersection

Monterey officials want to see some changes to traffic patterns near Dairy Queen.

Alderman Charles Looper said the intersection at South Chestnut and Stratton Avenue poses a danger as people exit the drive-thru.

“At the end of the drive-thru, do we need a sign that says no right turn or a sign that says left turn only? Looper asked. “I saw somebody come out and make a U-turn and come back up the street, and then I’ve seen them come out and turn right with cars coming this way and this way. Something is going to happen there.”

The Monterey Street Committee discussed their concerns about the intersection during a Tuesday morning meeting. Mayor Bill Wiggins said the Tennessee Department of Transportation would need to make a recommendation.

“I suggest that since it’s an intersection of two state routes that we get some kind of TDOT recommendation,” Wiggins said. “They may not want to, but I would explore that option.”

TDOT already denied the city’s request to install a red light at the intersection. Wiggins said the denial was because of traffic counts and another signal located nearby.

“It was a safety issue,” Wiggins said. “They [TDOT] feel like they would compound it by putting a light there.”

According to Monterey Police Chief Bill Randolph, the department has not responded to any wrecks at the location in the past year. He also said the number of wrecks has decreased over the past few years.

The street committee took no action after discussing the issue Tuesday.