CULLMAN, Ala. – Those traveling through Bug Tussle on Highway 69 will soon notice new warning lights installed in an effort by the Cullman County Commission to increase safety. The Commission on Tuesday approved the purchase of two solar powered 24/7 flashing beacons for warning lights and signs on Highway 69 at County Road 54 and Alabama Highway 69 intersections. The cost of the signs were $9,158.
Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons said of the reason behind the new beacons, “A few months ago, we had a fatality there in Bug Tussle. We’ve had numerous fatalities and accidents there. I got with our County Engineer Bryan Cheatwood and said, ‘Hey, let’s go down there and take a look to see if there is anything we can do to save lives.’” One of the problems they noticed immediately is located in Walker County. Once vehicles come over the hill, they are already upon the intersection without warning and no time to slow down.
After surveying the intersections and consulting with the state, being as the signs are on a state right of way, the county looked into the same flashing system previously installed on Highway 278 W near Bethel. Chairman Clemons said, “We had to purchase them, but think about the lives we could save. Hopefully, it will get people’s attention and they will slow down.”
Clemons said that it took a while to get the state to agree to the new flashing beacons. He added, “If we can save just one life, we’ve done our part.”
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