Residents Voice Concerns Over New Traffic Circle in Hermitage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new traffic circle in Hermitage is making waves— and not the good kind. This temporary installation at the intersection of Jacksonian Drive and Bonnacreek Drive has stirred up a pot of complaints from local residents who feel it’s causing more chaos than convenience.
Confusion on the Roads
Many neighbors express that the traffic circle is simply confusing. According to Walter Smith, a resident living near the circle, “It’s causing more confusion than anything else. If you aren’t sure how to get around that thing, it can be very tricky.” Typical road etiquette at a roundabout suggests that drivers should proceed to the right, circling around the center. However, it seems that not everyone got the memo.
Some drivers have resorted to making left turns into oncoming traffic to avoid the long route around the circle, a move District 14 Metro Council Member Jordan Huffman describes as potentially dangerous. “We had an incident on Friday afternoon where a Metro Nashville Public School bus couldn’t get through and had to use the side street,” he shared.
The Neighbors Speak Up
Residents have been quite vocal regarding their experiences at the new traffic circle. Their concerns caught the attention of the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT), which promptly sent a crew to the site to take down the traffic circle on Monday afternoon. But just like that, the intersection returned to its previous state, and the problem of speeding drivers on Bonnacreek Drive remains unsolved.
“I was told the speed humps would deteriorate over time,” Huffman explained. “So, they wouldn’t be a viable option due to the number of cars on it.” This revelation has left residents wondering what the next step should be, considering that the original issues at the intersection persist.
A Study in Traffic Control
NDOT had previously conducted a study to determine if a four-way stop could alleviate the issues at the intersection, but their findings indicated it didn’t meet the necessary criteria. This past observation led to the traffic circle being installed in the first place. To help tackle the continuous concern surrounding the traffic at Jacksonian Drive and Bonnacreek Drive, NDOT has plans for another stop sign analysis. The decisions regarding any future traffic controls will involve discussions at a forthcoming meeting of the NDOT Traffic and Parking Section.
What’s Next for Hermitage?
As it stands, residents of Hermitage await the next move from NDOT with bated breath. While the removal of the traffic circle is a step forward, the pressing issues of speeding and confusion at the intersection are still present. Neighbors are hopeful that the NDOT’s further studies will lead to a more permanent, safe solution that will ensure safe travels for all who pass through the area.
For now, the residents of Hermitage are banding together, sharing their stories on how this traffic circle has changed their daily routines. It’s clear that when it comes to streets and intersections, the community’s voice matters deeply, and their feedback is instrumental in shaping safe and effective traffic solutions in their neighborhood.
