Vinemont finds solution to turn lane request

Patrick Camp, The Cullman Times, Ala.
·3 min read

Oct. 12—VINEMONT — The town of South Vinemont will be adding a directional "Right Turn Only" where Park Drive — located next to Dollar General — exits onto U.S. Hwy. 31 in an effort to satisfy resident complaints calling for a dedicated turn lane.

Vinemont resident, and former councilmember, Shirley Arnett presented her proposal to the council during its September work session along with a site plan she created to illustrate her request.

The drawing Arnett presented proposed eliminating the grassy median directly in front of dollar general and using the space to create a left turn lane onto Park Dr. for northbound traffic and "u-turn lane" for southbound traffic to turn around at the next available crossover in front of the Amish Gallery furniture store.

The council explained to Arnett how it would be unable to fulfill her request because it had no control over Hwy. 31, which is maintained by the Alabama Department of Transportation. Arnett proceeded to reach out to ALDOT's North Region Traffic Engineer, Matt Johnson, who she submitted her proposal.

Arnett returned to the town council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, to enquire if the council had received any updates from ALDOT.

Town clerk Kayecea Sasser said she had spoken with Johnson, who informed her he would not be able to meet with mayor Radginal Dodson or the council, until he had a formal recommendation to do so from ALDOT.

"Until there are formal recommendations that they [ALDOT] come up with, they won't come meet with the mayor ... when he is done reviewing and have formal recommendations, he will come and meet with the mayor and council," Sasser said.

Following the exchange, Arnett informed the council she has received 98 signatures from residents who would like "to get something done" about the intersection she believed to be a traffic hazard. Councilmember Bonnie Goodwin asked about a sign which had previously been installed at the intersection, but was damaged during the paving of Park Dr. Sasser said she had submitted a work order to ALDOT to replace the sign, but had not received a response.

"We just keep bumping our heads against a wall trying to do something and not succeeding very well," Dodson said.

Councilmember, Charolette Cosper, suggested purchasing a "Right Turn Only" sign from the Cullman County Road Department and installing it just beyond ALDOT's right of way, which according to the Cullman County GIS parcel map, is approximately 33 feet from the white line painted on Park Dr.

The motion was approved by the council and during a follow up phone call with The Times on Wednesday, Sasser said the town's public works director, Mike Graves had already measured the distance and said the sign will be located just beyond the entrance to Dollar General.

In other business the council:

* Approved a $24,152 payment to the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation to be divided into three equal payments of $8050.66.

* Tabled the discussion of a citizen request asking to use the Vinemont Community Center to hold a free sewing class until it was able to get more information on the class.

* Announced the upcoming Senior Citizen Day on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

* Announced the upcoming Barbecue Festival on Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

* Announced the upcoming Halloween Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at Vinemont School

* Announced the upcoming Thanksgiving Community Meal on Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Vinemont lunchroom.