Sparta Improves Safety Of Winding Lane Through New Guardrail

A new guardrail has been installed along Winding Lane in Sparta.

City Administrator Brad Hennessee said approximately 400 feet of railing was removed and replaced by a new 200 foot stretch.

“The guardrail has been damaged so badly over the years that it probably doesn’t even function as a guardrail anymore,” Hennessee said. “The other issue that we saw in it is that there is actually more guardrail there than is needed.”

Hennessee said the guardrail protects a sharp turn, which has a history of hyroplaning in wet conditions. Hennessee said the road was also paved last year and has not had a major accident since the resurfacing.

“The speed limit through there is 25, but what we think has happened over the years is, especially in wet conditions, cars hit their brakes on that curve and they hyrdroplane into another vehicle or guardrail,” Hennessee said.

Winding Lane runs between South Young Street and Highway 111. Hennessee said the new guardrail is located on the 111 end.