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(Jim Wozniak)

Sheriff concerned over increase in traffic

By Jim Wozniak
Erwin Bureau Chief
jwozniak@johnsoncitypress.com

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ERWIN — A week after a rock slide on Interstate 40 caused a rerouting of motorists to Interstate 26, Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris has seen about triple the number of tractor-trailers on that highway.

But an issue that has caused equal concern is an unexpected development — an estimated 50 percent increase in traffic from all types of vehicles on Tenn. Highway 81, the road that takes motorists between Erwin and Jonesborough and connects with Tenn. Highway 107, which brings people to Greeneville.

On Friday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation installed a sign between Exits 40 and 37 westbound that tells motorists they should continue to I-81 instead of getting off at Exit 37 and using Tenn. 81. The sign flashes and says, “Trucks, follow I-26 west 29 miles to I-81 South.”

“I know a lot of people that I know in Greene County and Washington County both were complaining and are complaining about truck traffic as well going down (Tenn. ) 81 (and Tenn.) 107,” Harris said Monday. “I’ve got family that lives on Highway 107. They say it’s been about bumper to bumper with trucks. But now, I think the sign has helped some.”

Travis Brickey, a TDOT spokesman, said Monday that last week’s fatal accident on Tenn. 81, a noticeable increase in traffic and monitoring by the state agency led to the decision to install the sign on I-26.

Harris said it is a good thing the sign was installed. He said he appreciated TDOT’s action and that the agency has been receptive to the sheriff’s department’s ideas.

“That old road down the river just isn’t made for all this traffic,” he said.

Brickey said TDOT suspects that some GPS units in people’s vehicles indicate that Tenn. 107 and Tenn. 81 are shorter routes for people. But these motorists are unaware how curvy the road is, he said.

Harris said the curve on Tenn. 81 at the entrance to River’s Edge restaurant in Unicoi County is particularly troublesome. He also pointed to other spots on that road where a vehicle would hit a rock cliff or possibly go into the Nolichucky River if it ran off the road.

Since the extra traffic hit I-26, Harris has received complaints about speeding and reckless driving on the highway.

He said people also have talked to him about having trouble getting out of driveways and trucks crossing the centerline on Tenn. 81.

“With more traffic, you have more reckless drivers,” Harris said. “I think if traffic doubles or triples, then you got double or triple the number as well of people driving reckless.”

He said his department is looking at conducting some interdiction in part to slow down traffic.

Brickey said TDOT is working with its counterparts in North Carolina, monitoring patterns and making adjustments, as necessary.

In addition to talking to TDOT, Harris said he has been talking with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and seen a number of troopers in the county.