Brookway bottleneck getting a makeover
Published 9:13 pm Saturday, September 6, 2014
It’s good to see a bottleneck going away on busy Brookway Boulevard. Work got underway last week on extending the turn lane on Brookway in front of Walgreens.
This awkward turning situation on the Boulevard just before the intersection with Highway 51 has long been a problem for westbound drivers trying to turn across traffic into the Walgreens parking lot. As a corrective measure, workers are now extending the turn lane to help line up the turn area with the entrance to Walgreens.
As a further safety enhancement, the construction also will introduce a curb on the right side of the turn lane, preventing those exiting Walgreens from making a left-hand turn onto the Boulevard.
The project, approved unanimously by the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen in June, is a necessary improvement that has been needed for years.
Accidents all along the Boulevard have unfortunately become a routine occurrence, particularly during the hectic lunch hour. The improvements in this portion of the thoroughfare will at least help minimize the chances for mishaps in one part of the traffic-clogged roadway.
As Brookhaven continues to grow and more and more businesses locate in the highly sought-after Boulevard area, traffic will only get more congested. City leaders should work now to see what can be done to correct other problem areas.