Unsafe driving creates problems on detour route

There has been an increase of traffic crossing the intersection of Spring and Central since the closing of the Main Street bridge in Harrison. Drivers are advised to use caution and drive safely. GOOGLE MAPS
The intersection of South Spring and West Central in Harrison has seen an increase in traffic lately and an increase in traffic accidents along with it.
ith the closing of the Main Street bridge, many drivers are taking Spring as a detour route. In response to the increase in traffic along the street, the city installed speed cushions in front of the Burlsworth Youth Center last month. However, drivers continue to drive at unsafe speeds along the street, and many can be observed driving around the speed cushions instead of over them.
Spring Street intersects with West Central at this corner where the youth center is located. A number of wrecks have occurred here recently, as more drivers are using the intersection which features stop signs on Spring Street only — causing drivers to pull across traffic that does not stop on Central.

The location of the intersection in relation to the sunset during the busy early evening hours when drivers are heading home from work contributes to the risk of accidents, as they may have difficulty seeing oncoming vehicles while facing the sun.
There are no plans to close Spring Street to traffic, as City Engineer Wade Phillips explains, “It’s been discussed but isn’t really an option. A public street is a public street and open for the use of the public. At the end of the day, we need drivers to understand that the few seconds they save by speeding isn’t worth the risk of hurting someone else.”
While the city cannot close the street entirely, more speed enforcement on the route is being requested, according to Phillips.
Drivers are advised to practice caution in the area, driving safely. An alternative to using Spring Street is to use South Pine Street. The intersection of Pine and Central has a stoplight which can help control the flow of traffic.