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A northbound truck bears right on Ky. 39 while a southbound SUV turns onto Ky. 2750 Monday morning in Crab Orchard. A three-way stop is scheduled to be installed at the intersection on Wednesday. (Ben Kleppinger / ben@theinteriorjournal.com / July 23, 2012) |
CRAB ORCHARD — Drivers traveling through Crab Orchard will need to adjust to a substantial change in traffic flow with the addition of a three-way stop at the intersection of Ky. 39 and Ky. 2750 (Old U.S. 150).
Previously, southbound drivers on Ky. 39 had to stop, while drivers eastbound on Ky. 2750 or traveling north on Ky. 39 had the right of way.
According to the state Transportation Cabinet, the new three-way stop, which is scheduled to debut Wednesday, is intended to "enhance safety at this intersection and create a better traffic flow."
Crab Orchard City Commissioner Betty Fields said she expects adjusting to the change could bring its own problems.
"You give it a week, there'll be a wreck," she said. "Everybody is going to try to beat those stop signs."
Crab Orchard Commissioner Juanita Pettit said in addition to the new stop signs, new curbs and crosswalks are being installed.
Pettit and Crab Orchard Commissioner Phyllis Adams said the crosswalks will be beneficial for several Crab Orchard residents who are wheelchair-bound and live north of the intersection.
Previously, those residents had no easy way to get safely to Crab Orchard businesses on the south side of the intersection.
Pettit said she will be calling those in charge of the project at the state to see if it's possible to get flashing lights installed on the stop signs to raise drivers' awareness.
Ky. 39 is the main road from Crab Orchard north to Lancaster and south to Somerset. Ky. 2750, also known as Stanford Street, connects Ky. 39 to U.S. 150 north of Crab Orchard.
