Proposed change to downtown intersection

McMinnville officials are giving TDOT permission to reconfigure the intersection in front of Magness Library.

Under the plan, TDOT will change the lane structure on S. Chancery Street between Main Street and Colville Street.

Instead of two lanes devoted to northbound traffic on S. Chancery, the change will make two lanes heading south and one lane heading north. The change will help trucks avoid getting caught on the red bollards in front of Gipson Insurance.

“It will provide an extra swing area by the bollards,” said Public Works director Lyndon Bussell, who noted TDOT will handle all work and cover all expenses.

“I’m a little on the fence because won’t this make it worse for traffic coming up from Colville?” asked Vice Mayor Steve Harvey.

Added Alderman Rachel Kirby, “I don’t mind trying it if we can change it back.”

Bussell said changing it back would not be a problem, but the city would have to cover the costs and do the work.

It was clarified the red bollards would not be removed with the change.

“The single most common complaint I get as an alderman are those bells,” said Alderman Kara Youngblood.

Mayor Ryle Chastain said the bollards are necessary.

“If the bollards go away, we’ll have a tractor trailer in the middle of Gipson Insurance,” said Chastain.

City board members agreed to try the change and Chastain said he would draft a letter to TDOT to indicate the board approves reconfiguring the intersection.