Resident Voices Concerns About East Broad Street Traffic

A Cookeville resident believes a future 43-lot subdivision could make traffic even more dangerous along East Broad Street.

The development sits adjacent to the Bell Acres Golf Course. Marcia Donovan said the homes could bring 120-additional cars down the roadway.

“I’m concerned because I travel that way and it’s very hard to see what’s coming from the East over that hill, even if you’re going less than 30 miles per hour,” Donovan said. “If you’re on Ferguson, facing South and getting ready to turn left or right, you absolutely cannot tell whether there’s someone coming up over that hill.”

Donovan voiced her concerns to the Cookeville Planning Commission Monday night. She said she doesn’t oppose the project, but would like the city to consider implementing some traffic safety measures.

“I know it’s not your bailiwick to make those traffic decisions, but it would be much better to prevent a fatal accident by looking into the traffic,” Donovan said. “I think we need to keep looking at it and maybe make some changes to how that light is at Ferguson.”

Future residents of the development will be able to access both East Broad Street and Spring Street. Planning Director John Ward said the city studied traffic patterns prior to approving the project.

“Our public works department reviewed this. The site distance was acceptable for public works,” Ward said. “There is a traffic light at Ferguson that restrict right turns on red due to visibility issues. It’s been that way for years.”

The Planning Commission took no action on Donovan’s concerns. One member did say that it might be appropriate to place a sign warning drivers to slow down as the approach the traffic light.