Sparta, TDOT To Study Traffic On Bockman Way

Sparta officials and TDOT plan to conduct a traffic study on the city’s main street.

Discussions about a new traffic light at the intersection of Bockman Way and Highway 111 led to the plan.

TDOT will redesign the intersection at the Highway 111 northbound exit and install a new traffic light. City officials originally rejected the plan because it didn’t address accidents at the southbound intersection.

“We were worried about the other side because traffic that could be coming from Smithville, eastward into Sparta might be going too fast at that point, but they said we could do a study and look at lowering the speed limit at the city limits there to help people slow down and be able to recognize that intersection a little better,” City Manager Chris Dorsey said.

In March, Police Chief Jeff Guth said there were more accidents at the northbound, but the accidents at the southbound exit are more severe.