HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is urging drivers to make use of warning at a “harmful” intersection, as they discover a pointy enhance in crashes.
This comes because the intersection of Memorial Parkway and Mastin Lake Road undergoes main building.
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HPD North District Captain Tony McElyea instructed News 19 there have been 15 crashes at that intersection since Dec. 15. He mentioned 5 of those accidents resulted in accidents and one resulted in demise.
HPD mentioned most crashes observe a sample of northbound Memorial Parkway drivers making an attempt to show left onto Mastin Lake Road, regardless of quite a few site visitors indicators warning drivers that they can not flip left at that intersection.
“The majority of crashes, of these 15, have been unlawful left turns,” McElyea mentioned.
He mentioned motorists get “boned” on the intersection as a result of different motorists do not see them coming.
“Unfortunately when you flip, people who find themselves headed north or south, relying on which course you are turning, cannot see you till you get to the intersection,” McElyea mentioned. “By then it is already too late.”
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Right now the intersection is present process a serious overhaul, because the Alabama Department of Transportation is working to construct an overpass on Memorial Parkway above the Mastin Lake Road intersection.
“It’s a really harmful intersection proper now with building happening,” McElyea mentioned.
News 19 spoke with some drivers who agreed.
“I journey forwards and backwards periodically all through the day, all through the week,” Tkayceon McCarroll mentioned. “It’s horrible.”
McCarroll mentioned that between touring to work at a close-by purchasing middle and going to class at Alabama A&M University, he noticed a whole lot of the development happening on the intersection. He mentioned site visitors move is continually altering as a result of building.
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“It’s somewhat complicated as a result of it actually adjustments each day,” he mentioned.
McCarroll mentioned with the fixed lane adjustments it is troublesome for drivers to not get confused on the intersection.
“I believe there can be fewer accidents if individuals paid consideration to the indicators as a result of they’re there,” he mentioned. “But on the identical time, each day is a unique journey.”
McCarroll mentioned his finest recommendation to motorists in that space is to be as cautious as potential.
“Literally proper, left, again, entrance you must concentrate,” he mentioned. “You need to take your time.”
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HPD echoes McCarroll’s recommendation.
“Just pay attention to that intersection,” McElya mentioned. He urges motorists to plan a unique route if they’ll and to make use of warning if they cannot.
He mentioned for those who’re touring north on Memorial Parkway and want to show left onto Mastin Lake, undergo the sunshine and switch on the subsequent intersection.
McElyea mentioned HPD is working with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on an up to date security plan for the intersection. Meanwhile, HPD has stepped up patrols within the space. He mentioned HPD is “at that intersection to teach, to implement, to attempt to give a presence, to remind individuals, hey, I most likely should not be wanting round right here.”
McElyea mentioned that since Dec. 1, HPD has issued 200 tickets to drivers who illegally turned left on the intersection.
ALDOT estimates the development of the overpass will likely be completed by spring 2026.
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