Sparta Considering Changes At Golden Mountain & Hale

The city of Sparta is working on a solution to a dangerous traffic pattern at the intersection of Golden Mountain Road and Hale Street.

Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said residents have planted trees that block the view of drivers coming around the curve to the intersection. He said one resident told him that turning onto the road is a game of “Russian Roulette.”

“If you’re coming from Hale Street and like from Finley, Finley Methodist Church and Finley Schools, and turning left on Golden Mountain Road, you almost cannot see turning into the road,” Lowery said. “And it’s really dangerous. There have been a lot of very close accidents.”

Lowery asked the Board of Aldermen to look for feedback from residents in the area that might help them find a solution at May’s meeting. He said a four-foot flashing stop sign and rumble strips might slow oncoming traffic. Lowery said the city could implement a three-way stop.

“I just think we need to be proactive,” Lowery said. “I know people are going to have to get used to the stop sign, and we can move that stop sign back and forth a little bit.”

Spart Police Chief Nick Dunn said the department issues a lot of speeding tickets through that area. Lowery said parents leaving the nearby school are worried about getting hit with children in the car. Dunn said school buses travel that stretch of road as well.

“That is a blind turn,” Lowery said. “People are almost getting hit. T-boned.”