Troublesome Afton intersection to receive stop signs

AFTON - Council member Kristie Nixon said the intersection was an issue for at least 20 years. Tuesday, the Afton City Council approved a change.

The intersection of Gregory and Grand streets will now be a three-way stop, with stop signs placed on the west and east ends of Grand Street and on the south end of Gregory. The city council approved the resolution during Tuesday’s meeting.

This intersection, frequently used for commuters to the East Union School District, has seen a number of accidents. Maintenance Head Jesse Shade said the location was an odd intersection.

“I’ve come around there before and they’re, even if they’re only doing 25 [mph], it seems like they’re hauling butt when you’re coming right out because they ain’t even slowing down,” Shade said.

Westbound traffic on Grand Street is supposed to follow a yield sign to compensate for a lack of vision to the north side as they head into the intersection. While southbound traffic on Gregory has the right of way, accidents have been regular.

“There’s a lot of stuff that you can’t see around when you’re coming from the school,” Nixon said. “There’s wood piles, there’s vehicles, there’s all of that. Sight distance is terrible there.”

What makes traffic control difficult in the section comes from the unique angle of the northeast corner of the intersection. Instead of the roads intersecting, the northeast corner curves. Trying to define where westbound traffic should stop is difficult.

“If you move it farther down and, let’s say they’re going straight west,” Shade said. “That kind of leaves them in a funny spot. If they’re not coming around the curb, they’re going straight west, but then the stop sign’s around the curve. Do you see what I’m saying? Would that be funky?”

Police Chief Jake McGuire recommended placing the stop sign and a line just before the curve to mitigate this issue. A fourth stop sign was considered for the north end of the intersection and will be discussed in a future meeting.

Both council and city employees understood this change will need to be properly advertised. When set up, the city’s Facebook page will notify residents of the change. As Afton visitors and residents adjust to the change, accidents should be less frequent.