Crashes on Highway 77 renews calls for traffic signal
Residents want red light at dangerous thoroughfare
ralphhardin@gmail.com For years — basically since the Walmart Neighborhood Market opened in 2016 — the intersection of State Highway 77 and L.H. Polk Drive in Marion has been a hot spot for car crashes, making the list of most common sites for vehicular crashes in Crittenden County released by the West Memphis-Marion Metropolitan Planning Organization each year.
What is the solution? Some say it would simply be for drivers to pay better attention to their surroundings while traveling the busy road. Others blame the cell phone, with texting and driving being an ever-present issue on the road these days. Perhaps inexperienced drivers, coming from neirby Marion High School are the cause.
For years now, the most frequently suggested solution has been the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection. Proponents say a signal would create a safer traffic flow and reduce the number of accidents. Those against the idea say it would simply cause a traffic slow-down and do nothing to address the inattentive drivers.
A crash in front of the Walmart on Thursday evening revived the debate on social media after one member of a local Facebook group posted news of the accident in response to a concern about police presence there.
“What happened at Walmart?” asked Stefanie Jallow on the popular “Marion , AR Residents *Original Group *” page, a community Facebook page with more than 7,600 members.
Melissa Bourgeois had the inside scoop.
“My husband witnessed a bad wreck there and immediately jumped out to help,” she said. “The man ran a stop sign going probably 70 mph and hit an old lady and she was crushed in between the dashboard, she was crying to my husband to help her and he helped her stay comfortable until EMTs arrived because they’re not supposed to move.”
“There were three vehicles involved,” added Amber Barber.
Several posts offering prayers and well wishes for all those involved.
“People speed up and down 77 all the time,” said Patsy Gallegos. “Everyone is in such a hurry to get out onto 77 no matter where they are pulling out of… everyone needs to slow down or leave your homes earlier.”
Just a couple of hours later, the page lit up with another post.
“Another accident in front of Walmart,” said Bria Turner. “SMH (shaking my head). So what will it take for them to put a stop light there?
“It makes no sense to not have a stoplight there by Walmart,” agreed Sean Wallace. “You’ve got cars coming and going from four directions.”
“Horrible wreck at Walmart on 77 & LH Polk,” Tricia Yates posted on the same page “Hope everyone is OK… several vehicles.”
The call for a traffic signal got its share of “likes” but not everyone was on board with the idea.
“Maybe if each driver operated their vehicle in a responsible manner…” opined Cathy Coats.
“Drive the speed limit,” suggested Chad Blanchard.
“On 77, look good pulling out of Walmart or side streets… then there won’t be wrecks. So simple…
Otherwise get them stoplights and increase taxes, with delays and malfunctions.”
That’s just a terrible stretch in general,” said Brandon Goodwin. “Used to be known as ‘Dead Man’s Curve.’ Walmart being right there just makes it worse. That would be a terrible spot for a light when traffic is heavy. Could you imagine coming around the curve to run into a red light?”
Drivers will also have to “imagine” dealing with traffic in that area with the addition of a turnoff leading into an overpass. Plans are still in place to install an access road leading to an overpass east of the Walmart site that will go over the railroad tracks to the north of the curve in
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the highway into the River Trace subdivision. Work was originally scheduled to begin on the project in 2020 but has been delayed primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating costs of materials.
In the meantime, the debate rages on and drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling the dangerous thoroughfare.
