Seymour residents who’ve longed complained about the difficulty of making left turns from Rogers Road and Tittsworth Spring Road on to Chapman Highway will soon see some relief.
A traffic signal should be operational at that intersection next month, according to Jonas Smelcer, Sevier County road superintendent. Smelcer said the state Department of Transportation gave its blessing to adding the traffic light at that location because of the growth occurring along both roads that is fueling an increase in the number of vehicles.
“TDOT thinks the light is warranted,” he said, “and I do agree with the state’s position.”
Smelcer said the cost of the light is borne by the developer, Barry Shular, who requested the light. The developer also must pay to realign Tittsworth Spring to match Rogers Road across Chapman Highway.
“Living in Seymour all my life, I knew that Rogers Road was the back way out from King’s Academy and the Seymour schools,” Shular said.” There was a huge safety issue to be addressed and all the development on Tittsworth Spring Road that had to be considered. After seeing the traffic studies, it was a natural fit.”
Shular said he was happy that the local commissioners had supported the project. He said he had to work with TDOT as well as the county to get the project approved.
“We were dealing with safety issues, though,” he said, “and the county commissioners wisely approved it. The realignment of the intersection is also a safety matter.”
Shular said he can’t predict at this time whether projects he is planning can or will be built, given the poor economy and the real estate slump.
“I’m paying for 100 percent of the light project, Shular said. It’s a very expensive red light, for me if we don’t go forward with development in that area.”
Shular said he didn’t have all the numbers yet for the cost of the project.
Aligning Tittsworth Springs Road and Rogers means correcting an approximately 200 feet offset from North Rogers.
Officials with TDOT said the state’s sole part in the traffic signal project was to issue a permit. The permit was issued last September. The state will not have to sign off on the alignment of the two roads, because Chapman is not affected.

PAVING PROGRAM

County Road Superintendent Jonas Smelcer announced the county is preparing to begin repaving more than 30 roads in Seymour as soon as weather permits, likely around April 15. The repaving program, which will involve about 11 miles of roadway, will follow the state’s paving season guidelines, which should take it into November.
The reason for the timetable is to take advantage of warming temperatures, Smelcer said. He explained that cold, rainy weather affects the bonding of the paving with the existing surface.
Smelcer said some people don’t understand why their own road may not be scheduled for paving while another road in their development is to be repaved. He said roads are scheduled for repaving based on their age and when they were last repaved.
He said the county will spend between $25,000 and $30,000 a mile just on materials. He did not have an estimate of the total cost.
The roads to be resurfaced this year include: Miller Circle, Evergreen Street, Shenandoah Drive, Virginia Drive, Sharon Drive, Scenic Hill Drive, Iroquois Lane, Navajo Drive, Apache Trail and Cherokee Trail.
Also, Mothers Road, Conner Hills Road, Huskey Drive, Mountain View Drive, Ford Hill Lane, Rumble Wood Lane, Clydesdale Avenue and Horseshoe Lane.
Also, Bridle Court, Pearl Road, Knob Creek Road (south end only, Sugarloaf Lane, Watson Road, Post Oak Lane, Sauls Road, Reagan Circle, Springview Circle, Daniel Drive and Newell Circle.

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