ST8201-CS 881114November 14, 1988
HEHORANDUN
TO: Dorothy Timmons, City Secretary
City Staff/Directors ~
FROM: Linde Grau, Assistant City Secretary
SUBSECT: Detour of Bethel Road
~nile transcribing the minutes of November 8, 1988, ! understood Hayor
Pro Tam Wilkerson requested City staff to consider the possibility of
closing the intersection of Denton Tap Road and Bethel Road, until
construction of the intersection is completed, and detouring the traffic
from Bethel Road onto Harris to intersect with Bethel School Road.
I live in the Hunte~ood Sub-Division and have a personal concern as to
this request. I agree with this request, but would ask that staff
consider the road conditions existing on Harris. At one time Harris was
very seldom used except for citizens residing in Hunter~ood. The sides
of the road are deteriorated, due to improper drainage, and flooding
occurs after a rain at the intersection of Harris and Brooks Lane.
During the winter months this collection of water turns into ice, and
depending on the amount of water collected, at times the intersection is
impassable. The road is extremely narrow and at its southern end, winds
to the west with no clear vision of on-coming traffic. It is overgrown
with trees and underbrush. City staff did try to rectify some of these
conditions by cutting down trees and underbrush and patching the sides
of the road. They also tried to alleviate the flood problem but the
problem still exists. Men the traffic light was installed at the
intersection of Denton Tap Road and Bethel School Road the traffic
increased tremendously on Harris initiating the installation of a STOP
sign at the end of Bethel School Road and Harris. Although there is a
warning sign indicating a STOP sign ahead~ it cannot be seen until you
are directly in front of it. I have seen cars skid to the other side of
the road to avoid hitting someone that suddenly stopped for the sign~
and be forced to turn into the direction of on-coming traffic to avoid
hitting a tree. I travel this road everyday and have witnessed this
additional traffic and minor accidents. Children ride their bikes on
Harris, citizens Jog, neighbors walk, and school buses stop to unload
school children. If a child or Jogger is on the road two cars cannot
pass. People cannot walk on the side of the road because of overgrown
underbrush and; therefore, walk in the street. I can personally attest
to this, and have witnessed many close calls. Because of an on-coming
car I have come very close to forcing a biker off the road, and at times
it has been necessary to follow very slowly behind children walking in
the street until they could move over to a wider area of grass off of
the road.
I agree with Mayor Pro Tem Wilkerson's concern. However, should City
staff or the construction company decide to detour the traffic onto to
Harris, PLEASE have City staff personally witness and consider upgrading
the conditions of Harris before instituting this detour, and take into
consideration the lives of children, neighbors, and citizens in the
area.
Thank you.