LOGAN, Ala. – After contacting the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to request safety upgrades such as a traffic light at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and County Road 831, the site of two recent serious accidents, Logan Fire and Rescue received this response from ALDOT North Region Public Information Officer Seth Burkett:
Thank you for contacting us to voice your concern about the intersection of U.S. 278 and County Road 831. We are aware of the crashes that recently occurred and have been reviewing the intersection and the limited sight distance to the west.
In 2014, following a previous fatal crash (which occurred at a nearby business entrance, not the intersection), we conducted an analysis to determine whether the intersection met standards for installation of a traffic signal, but a signal was not warranted based on traffic volumes and crash history. A signal would still not be warranted today.
While crashes at this intersection are not as common as many believe them to be, we have seen an increase in the last two to three years. There has been little change in traffic volume or other factors that might explain a rise in crashes. We’ll continue to monitor the intersection and investigate further, including obtaining the results of the law enforcement investigations into these most recent crashes.
What do you think?
The Tribune would like to hear from west Cullman County residents who live in the area near the intersection, and from people who regularly travel that part of Highway 278, about your experiences on the road and what you would like to see done there.
We have reached out to Burkett, asking for statistics on traffic in that area, the number of accidents in the last three years, and the criteria that an intersection in such a location must meet before receiving safety upgrades. We will share that information when he responds.
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