BRADRICK – Drivers traveling through the intersection of Ohio 7 and Ohio 243 near Bradrick will find a safer commute, thanks to a new traffic signal.

Monday, July 17, 2000

BRADRICK – Drivers traveling through the intersection of Ohio 7 and Ohio 243 near Bradrick will find a safer commute, thanks to a new traffic signal.

The installation of the signal will begin today and run through Aug. 24. Drivers on Ohio 7 will be restricted to one lane with the aid of flaggers from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays.

Law enforcement officials say the signal is overdue.

"(That intersection is) within the top five most dangerous intersections in Lawrence County, in terms of crashes," Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. John Smith said. "We’ve had at least one fatality at that intersection and also numerous injuries from crashes there. The speed limit is 55 mph on Ohio 7, so that’s why it’s pretty dangerous."

Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 crews have examined the situation for about a year and had planned to resolve the situation, management administrator Vaughn Wilson said.

"There’s a fair amount of traffic coming in 243 and entering Ohio 7, and there’s a lot of traffic between Chesapeake and Proctorville," he said.

The most common cause of accidents at the intersection is the heavy flow of traffic on Ohio 7.

The high volume of traffic, combined with impatience on the part of the drivers at the stop signs on Ohio 243 and County Road 3, who want to quickly merge into Ohio 7, also contributes to the likelihood of an accident, Smith said.

Although there might be minor transit delays from the single lane construction site, ODOT officials said getting the signal up safely, and quickly, is the agency’s No. 1 concern.

"I’m sure the purpose for the single lane closure is to get a bucket truck to get the signal set up," Wilson said.

Installation of span wires that support poles for the signal might be the only job that might severely congest traffic, Wilson said. Traffic will be stopped in all directions, but this one-time delay will take no longer than 15 minutes, he added.

"I don’t feel the construction will cause major delays," Smith said. "I’m sure during the morning and evening commutes there will be a delays, but I don’t feel they will be long."

Wilson explained although traffic signals don’t solve all traffic problems, this signal will certainly reduce the number of crashes.

"By assigning right-of-way (at the intersection), traffic signals are very helpful in reducing severe accidents where vehicles collide at right angles," he said.