TRAFFIC LIGHT DELIMA |
Stakeholders
& TDOT Meet To Discuss Best Options - How Will Project Cost Be
Divided? |
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Photo Provided By: TDOT |
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Stakeholders in the Signal Light Project for
the intersection of Dumplin Valley and Hwy 92 met last Thursday to
discuss plan proposals and funding sources for a proposed traffic
light and improved turn lanes. Representatives from the Town of
Dandridge, the Jefferson County Department of Education, Tennessee
Department of Transportation and Jefferson County convened to
discuss options for the project. Renewed interest in a signal light
at the intersection of Dumplin Valley and Hwy 92 led to the
Tennessee Department of Transportation developing options for the
area in question.
The Department of Education contacted the Town of
Dandridge to request that the Town investigate the possibility of a
signal light at the intersection. In recent years, the Dumplin
Valley intersection has been a source of concern for school
officials and residents. With the addition of two new schools, Mt
Horeb on East Dumplin Valley and the Freshman Academy on West
Dumplin Valley, congestion in the area has increased. Traffic
studies from 2007 to 2009 determined that the intersection did meet
the criteria for a signal light. The intersection, which is utilized
by Jefferson County High School students as well as other drivers,
has nine times the crash rate by exposure than is expected
statewide. The increased traffic with the addition of the new
schools is expected to add to the exposure rate.

Responsibility for funding the project has been
an issue of debate on the City and County level. The signal light
itself will be funded through a Safety Grant with TDOT, however,
road improvements are necessary for functionality of the
intersection. TDOT recently did some construction on Hwy 92 in the
area of the intersection. Dumplin Valley will need turn lanes to
accommodate the traffic flow in the area. The original proposal from
TDOT is estimated to come at a cost of around $200,000. The Town of
Dandridge, which engaged in the project at the request of the
Department of Education, has requested that the cost of the project
be split among the stakeholders, meaning that Jefferson County and
the Department of Education would help bare the burden of the turn
lane improvements.
The Jefferson County Budget Committee denied the
request for assistance in a recent Budget Meeting. TDOT, in an
effort to decrease the cost of the project, brought back a less
expensive option to the stakeholders. In Option 2, or the revised
plan, the cost was cut in around half, however, there are some
potential problems with the second option. Lanes on the East and
West side of Dumplin Valley would not line up and the intersection
would not have dedicated turn lanes in both directions. There is
also a question of pooling water and run off water that could be a
problem in heavy rain. Dandridge Mayor Gantte stated that there is
some concern that inexperienced drivers could have more difficulty
if the stakeholders choose to go with Option 2. TDOT representatives
stated that, though the Original Option was preferable, Option 2 did
meet the criteria for functionality and was better than no
improvements to the intersection. TDOT stressed that the process for
the signal installation and improvements is time consuming and could
take as long as 2 years for completion. The Town of Dandridge will
also be considering using video or looping. The decision to use
video would save on total project time, however, there was some
question of the feasibility of using video in a heavy fog area.
While the actual signal funding is secured through a grant, it is
necessary to determine the remainder of the funding and the option
that will be employed to address the turn lane needs on Dumplin
Valley. The Town of Dandridge, the Jefferson County Commission and
the Jefferson County School Board will each meet independently with
their Boards to determine the level of funding that each is willing
to commit to the project. The funding level will drive the Option
selection and determine if the project can be funded fully or if a
lesser option will be employed. The Jefferson County School Board
met Thursday evening and voted to request that the Jefferson County
Commission commit up to $100,000 for the Signal Light Project. In
addition, they requested a Special Called Meeting of the Jefferson
County Commission to address the issue. The Town of Dandridge is
expected to address the funding needs for the project at their next
voting meeting. Representatives from the Town of Dandridge have
indicated that the long term cost associated with the signal light
will be the responsibility of the Town and that they only seek
assistance with the inception costs of the project. |
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Bears
Looking For Food
Bear populations have increased dramatically in the
eastern United States in the last 20 years with Tennessee being no
exception. |
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The bear population in Tennessee is now probably higher than it has
been in the last 100-150 years. Most of Tennessee’s bear habitat
exists on public lands in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. As
Tennessee’s human population increases, and more people move near
public lands, bear interactions with humans will continue to
increase.
Every year the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) receives
hundreds of calls and complaints concerning black bears. Most of the
complaints are of bears raiding garbage containers, bird feeders,
and pet food left outdoors. Additionally, some people even
intentionally feed bears. As a result of the improper storage of
garbage, easy availability of bird seed, and the direct feeding of
bears, animals often become habituated to humans and become a
nuisance. Nationwide bear management experience has shown the life
expectancy of “nuisance” bears may be less than half of that of
“wild” bears that do not have repeated contact with humans.
Disappointingly, there are no other alternatives but to destroy
bears that have become a threat to human safety. As fall approaches,
bears look for easier and more nutritious food sources than their
naturally occurring foods and the likelihood of bear sightings may
increase. The TWRA encourages residents to educate themselves by
being "bear aware."Please help keep our communities safe by
preserving the “wild” nature of bears by following these few simple
tips:
• Do not feed bears,
• Store garbage in bear-proof containers or in a manner that is
inaccessible to bears,
• Do not feed birds between April and January when bears are most
active or take
feeders inside at night,
• Keep pet food indoors and feed pets in the house or garage,
• Do not add food to your compost piles,
• Keep cooking grills clean and stored indoors when not in use.
TWRA believes that bears and humans can coexist. Often all that is
required to prevent bear-human conflicts is to simply stop feeding
bears, properly store garbage, remove bird feeders, and/or keep pet
food indoors. Until the public stops feeding bears and acknowledges
the fact that garbage does indeed kill bears, then the TWRA along
with other responsible wildlife agencies will have no choice but to
euthanize bears that become a threat to humans.
For more information and or technical assistant regarding black
bears in Tennessee, visit the region IV web site at
www.twraregion4.org, or contact the TWRA region IV office at (423)
587-7037. |
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Iranian Twin Quakes
Death Toll 250 / 2000 Injured |
By Jake Depew, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer |
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On Saturday,
August 11, 2012, two strong earthquakes struck northwestern Iran.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the first
earthquake occurred at 4:53 p.m. and was registered as a magnitude
6.4, occurring 37 miles northeast of Tabriz. The second quake, which
struck 11 minutes later, happened 30 miles northeast of Tabriz. This
quake was a magnitude 6.3. The quakes devastated 4 villages and
caused heavy damage in as many as 60 more. Press TV, a state-run
Iranian news channel, has stated that as many as 250 people were
killed in the quakes, with at least 2,000 injuries. The report also
claimed that 40 of the deaths were located in Varzaqan, with another
50 in Haris. The city of Ahar is also stated to be home to 45 deaths
and as many as 500 casualties. At the time of this writing,
scattered relief efforts are still underway for those in the
affected areas. Local authorities are expecting the casualty count
to continue escalating in the following days. Emergency medical
treatment is being provided in a wide range of locations, and
officials are working to contain the panic caused by the crisis. |
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By LaShai Owens, Jefferson County Post
Editorial Cartoonist |
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