NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — There are traffic calming solutions in Nashville neighborhoods to help ease problems, but in one community, not everyone is a fan.
As part of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program in 2019, Metro Public Works approved 16 requests to develop a plan to that would calm traffic problems in different neighborhoods across Davidson County. One of them developed a design through community meetings to install two traffic circles and speed humps in the Locustwood neighborhood near Haywood Lane in south Nashville.
The changes, implemented in September, were met with approval from neighbors who lived near or along Creekside Drive, E Ridge Drive and Keeley Drive. The area is notorious for drivers who speed as it has become a cut-through community in between Interstate 24 and Nolensville Pike.
"I think it allows people to hold themselves accountable when driving through residential areas," resident Brandon Denton told NewsChannel 5.
However, other neighbors nearby worry the traffic calming solution is causing other problems. Since the installation, neighbors report five or six cases when a driver would a hit sign in the traffic circle. Witnesses say drivers are still speeding.
"This is more danger to the community than it is helpful," Fairlane Park Neighborhood Association Director Jeff Sexton said. "People don't know how to maneuver this and when they are stopped at this speed deterrent, they are more inclined to make up the speed to the next one."
Sexton's association sits right next to Locustwood and wished a four-way stop was installed instead. His other concern is the congestion building up in side streets he blames on the speed humps.
"Now that they've put the speed bumps here they're coming through this way and going faster," neighbor Sandra Matthews said. "Last night I was almost hit going this way."
Sexton plans to speak with the district's Metro council member to address his concerns. However, not everyone agrees and feels the traffic calming solutions are appropriate.
Metro Public Works takes applications twice a year for its traffic calming program which can include installing roundabouts, traffic circles, speed cushions and pavement marking.
