MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Morning traffic congestion is routine at White Station and Rich Road. Mix in kids trying to get to nearby Richland Elementary School, and you have gridlock, even with a crossing guard.
“She has to blow the whistle, flash the stop sign and people are still in a hurry. They are running past her,” says Natasha Lewis, who has a child at Richland Elementary.
Last month a student on his bike was hit by a car at the intersection.
“The crossing guard lady was trying to get him across. Somebody came around that corner and hit him,” says Lewis.
The student who was hit is going to be OK.
“So that was kinda a flash point for us in the neighborhood to say that we really need to get something done,” says Amber Isom-Thompson, who walks her daughter to school. She is pushing for a stop light at the intersection.
Parents did their own study and say there were 14 accidents at the intersection. They say that speaks volumes.
They have run into a battle over whether a light is needed and if the City of Memphis or Shelby County Schools will pay for it.
“That’s always what I call the Shelby County shuffle. In the meantime nothing has been happening with it,” says Shelby County Commissioner Heidi Shafer.
She took the issue to the Shelby County Commission.
“What I want to do is cut through the bureaucracy and red tape. Get the signs in and get them funded. We are talking about $25,000 per sign,” says Shafer.
She says the county agreed to keep pressure on until something is done.
Parents were told there may be grant money to install a flashing caution light.
They are keeping their fingers crossed.
“The flasher is definitely appreciated and will be a help,” says Isom-Thompson.
The city engineer says installing the flashing light will take two to three months.
Parents, who still think a traffic light would be better, say they will continue to monitor the traffic problems and whether their kids are at risk.
