By DEREK HODGES

Staff Writer

SEVIERVILLE — A local resident voicing concerns about the safety of motorists on Chapman Highway has prompted county officials to ask the state for a fix.

J.R. LaFollette came before the County Commission’s Steering Committee on Monday evening to ask if something can be done to get a turn lane at the intersection of Chapman Highway and Whites School Road.

“There have been a number of accidents there,” LaFollette told the group. “There’s just not much way to make a left turn there. It’s a dangerous way to pull across there.”

The intersection sits as the end of the median that divides the highway beginning near the Sevierville city limits. As such, it doesn’t have a left-turn lane like some of the other areas along the road. Those who need to turn there have only a small median area to use to get out of the traffic lanes as they wait to turn, LaFollette said.

LaFollette, a Goose Gap Road resident who uses Whites School Road to get in and out of his neighborhood, pointed out Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews have been on Chapman Highway for several weeks building turn lanes at other intersections. He’s hopeful the state workers can extend their effort a little bit and build a turn lane at Whites School Road.

LaFollette found a friendly audience at the meeting, particularly from Commissioner Jim Keener, who represents the area on the county board. This is far from the first time safety concerns have forced TDOT to build a turn lane on Chapman Highway, Keener said.

The state agency was called in to improve the intersection of Chapman and Wye Drive a few years ago and, though that area is in a hill and a broad curve, Keener said he sees more reason to be concerned about the Whites School area.

“I just think this is worse than (that intersection) has ever been,” Keener said.

He made a motion that the county mayor send a letter to TDOT requesting it consider making improvements at the intersection. Additionally, Highway Superintendent Jonas Smelcer committed to sending his own letter and talking to the area’s representatives in Nashville to get help fast-tracking the proposed project.

Keener’s motion was approved unanimously.

dhodges@themountainpress.com