Intersections update aimed at creating safer roads

The traffic lights at the intersection of County Road 47 and U.S. 280 in Chelsea are a little different than they were in 2016, but that difference is something Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer hopes will keep drivers safer.

Starting Jan. 10, the Alabama Department of Transportation made repairs to the traffic lights in the intersection and swapped out a few of the turn signals. While the traffic lights for those turning off of U.S. 280 previously had a green arrow and a green signal indicating “left turn yield on green,” those signals now have green, yellow and red arrows. Left turns when there is oncoming traffic are no longer permitted.

“I’ve always been of the opinion that if all left turns in that intersection at 280 and 47 were on green arrow only, rather than turn left on green when clear, that it would greatly reduce the number of accidents and the severity of accidents in the intersection,” Picklesimer said.

The intersection, located in front of the Chelsea McDonald’s, has been the location for many accidents in the past, said Picklesimer, and improving safety there was a high priority.

“I have actually had multiple meetings with ALDOT, three to be exact, and it was a big part of my campaign,” Picklesimer said. “I talked about how I feel we ought to have some input into ALDOT’s decision-making in Chelsea proper.”

The changes to this intersection are a way to keep that promise of keeping Chelsea safe, Picklesimer said. In the weeks following the changes to the traffic signals, Picklesimer said he had seen a decrease in the number of accidents at that intersection.

“There’s already a drop in the accidents. It’s an immediate fix,” Picklesimer said.

“Not to say that was a correct all, fix all, but that along with the awareness with all the extra work going on, I think that overall, it’s made a difference already. And I think it will continue to do so.”

In addition to the signal change, Picklesimer said the intersection will be repainted, which will also help increase safety. During his meetings with ALDOT, Picklesimer has discussed two other traffic-related projects on U.S. 280, which have not yet been approved. This project was the first to be approved, and he said it is the “culmination of several meetings with several different people in it,” including current council members.

While working to improve the safety on some of the city’s roads, Picklesimer said he appreciates the input from city officials as well as ALDOT’s willingness to listen to his input.  

“I mentioned in several council meetings keeping our promises is important to me, and my number one priority, the number one priority of a municipal government is keeping its people safe,” Picklesimer said. “That four-word sentence encompasses a lot of things, but I think this is a step toward keeping people safe. I appreciate ALDOT allowing me the meetings.”