recordgleaner
Posted on

Greenwood School/Main intersection switched to right turn only

Greenwood School/Main intersection switched to right turn only
Shown is the view when approaching Main Street/Highway 73 in Greenwood from School Street. When coming from School Street, motorists must turn right (south). They are not allowed to turn left or go straight across into the Kwik Trip parking lot. The intersection was changed in an effort to improve safety. There have been at least two accidents at the intersection, and city residents have attested to poor visibility at that corner. Any questions about the intersection change should be directed to the Greenwood Police Department, which can be reached at 715-267-6215.
Greenwood School/Main intersection switched to right turn only
Shown is the view when approaching Main Street/Highway 73 in Greenwood from School Street. When coming from School Street, motorists must turn right (south). They are not allowed to turn left or go straight across into the Kwik Trip parking lot. The intersection was changed in an effort to improve safety. There have been at least two accidents at the intersection, and city residents have attested to poor visibility at that corner. Any questions about the intersection change should be directed to the Greenwood Police Department, which can be reached at 715-267-6215.

By Valorie Brecht The Greenwood Common Council has opted to make a change they hope will result in a safer traffic flow for the community. The intersection of School Street at Main Street/Highway 73 has been changed to right turn only. Drivers coming from School Street are only allowed to turn south onto Main Street/Highway 73, not north. Drivers may not go straight across to the Kwik Trip parking lot; if they want to go to Kwik Trip, they should first turn right onto Main Street and then left into the Kwik Trip parking lot.

The council discussed the issue at their April meeting in the midst of a conversation about safety concerns in the city.

“It gets congested in that area and it’s not very safe turning to the north. It’s really hard to see (to the north) especially if someone is parked in front of Sport and Spine,” said city clerk Kayla Schar.

She said the council had thought about eliminating some parking spots for better visibility, but ultimately decided against it, as the city is already running short on parking spaces.

Police Chief Bernie Bock felt the change to right turn only was a good move by the city.

“There’s been two accidents for sure there, maybe three,” said Bock. “I know there were two incidents where pedestrians were hit. Alot of community members have had multiple close calls at that intersection. I’ve had a couple of close calls myself. It’s not the safest intersection.”

Signs have been posted at the approach to the intersection and directly across from it. Bock said the police department plans to add a painted symbol on the roadway, as well as another sign farther back to further alert motorists. The school also planned to do a couple of announcements to let students know about the change.

Motorists failing to follow the right turn only designation will receive a traffic citation.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF AND CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Read the printed article...
LATEST NEWS