Safety Hazard - Thornton Market
Thornton's Market: Curb along Main St
July 20, 2007
Mr. Jerry Horton,
Why was Thornton's market (corner of Saundersville Road and Main Street) able to extend their curb to the extreme edge of the outside lane of traffic on Main Street? They have eliminated a section of a TDOT Bike Route and will force bicycle traffic from the shoulder lane into the outside lane of traffic en route from Gallatin to Hendersonville. I'm aware there's a sidewalk, but it does not reconnect to the continuing shoulder after the Thornton market area. Also, when I'm in my car and I turn right from Saundersville Road on Main Street, the curb in that area is so close to the outside lane that I (and others) have to nearly enter the inside lane on Main Street, that is, almost take up two lanes during the turn, to avoid clipping the curb. All of the other new businesses along that corridor, such as the strip mall across the street and the Eckerd's, left the shoulder on Main Street intact during their construction phases. Can you explain? Thank you.
Frank Bowyer, IV
From: Bruce Day, July 23, 2007
Attached are some images of Thornton's. I did the Douglas Bend loop today and as I came South on Saundersville there was a traffic jam at this intersection. A standard issue 18 wheeler semi was trying to make a right turn west onto East Main. He had to swing all the way into the opposing left turn lane to negotiate th corner. Sadly, I was not able to get through in time to capture the moment and no other truck came down in the next 10 minutes. The pictures do show how much shoulder was taken and how most cars cheat past the white line, then swing wide into the left lane. Fortunately there appears to be plenty of room to move the curb back and recapture the shoulder.
From: David Hardin, July 24, 2007
To: Scott Foster
Scott, Some research images from Bruce Day on the Thortons issue.
From: Scott Foster, July 26, 2007
To: David Hardin
David, Thanks to your information, we have completed a cursory review of the situation and there are several issues. Public Works is moving forward with the contractor and TDOT on resolving these matters. As soon as I know further details I will let you know.
It is my intent to regain the 6’ to 8’ shoulder along Gallatin Road. As with most issues involving multiple players, new store openings, and TDOT traffic signals it may take 60 to 90 days, so please be patient.
From: David Miley, October 25, 2008
To: tom@evanscenter.com; Bruce Day
Subject: FW: US 31E Issues in Hendersonville
To me, the responses from the city (attached) and TDOT (below) on the shoulder in front of Thornton’s seem to conflict with one another. What do you guys think? Either way, it looks like it’s up to the city to make it happen.
dm
From: Winston Gaffron, October 22, 2008
To: David Miley Cc: Ali Farhangi; Phil Trammel
Subject: RE: US 31E Issues in Hendersonville
Mr. Miley, Thank you for your email. Per Ali Farhangi, TDOT is currently working with the city to make the developer get these changes made. If you have any questions regarding this work, please contact Phil Trammel at (615)350-4332.
To: Winston Gaffron, P.E. - Region 3 Director, Tennessee Department of Transportation 615-350-4300
From: David Miley 10/19/2008
Mr. Trammel and Mr. Horton, It has been over a year since being informed that the shoulder of US 31E in front of Thornton's would be restored, but no visible progress has been made. Would you kindly update the status of the plan?
Thank you, David Miley
From: Phil Trammel, September 07, 2007
To: Dave Miley Cc: Ali Farhangi; Corrine Price; Winston Gaffron
Subject: US 31E Issues in Hendersonville
Mr. Miley, Thank you for sending us your concerns on US 31 (SR 6) in Hendersonville. Your first concern about crosswalk signals on US 31 and Cherokee Rd. are responsibilities of the City of Hendersonville. You should contact their Public Works Dept. on this matter. The second concern that you have is the shoulder of US 31 in front of the new Thornton's gas station and store. There is a plan in place to remove approximately 7 feet of the lawn area to be replaced by approximately 5 feet of shoulder and the newly positioned curb. This should make for adequate shoulder space. Thank you for your input and I trust that this answers your
questions.
Sincerely, Phil Trammel, TDOT, Region 3 Traffic Engineer
The following pictures were taken on April 4, 2009 and show success in removing a safety hazard for both motorists and cyclists. When Thornton Market built their Hendersonville store in mid-2007 at the corner of Saundersville and Gallatin Road, they built into the bicycle lane. Members of the Hendersonville Greenway Committee and FOGBEE Cycling Club immediately petitioned the City, the State, and Thornton's Market about the infraction. See the key communications below. Each promised to fix the problem. We are pleased to report "promises kept."
