MAGNOLIA SPRINGS - In July, the Magnolia Springs council entered into a contract with Skipper Consulting Inc. in Birmingham to perform traffic studies throughout the town. Since that time, a traffic study based on results from five traffic counters, four within town limits and one at County Road 26, has been conducted. The study took place during a Friday - Sunday period. According to Mayor Kim Koniar, the weekend the study happened saw lots of rain in the area, which potentially affected the traffic flow.

“The study showed the number of cars that came through the area, but they didn’t provide the data as far as weight and types of vehicles,” said Koniar. “They started the study just south of Village Green to see how fast cars were going, and the average speed was about 47 miles per hour coming down the hill, consistently, and then once cars hit the speed humps the traffic in town stayed 35 miles per hour, which is what our speed limit is.”

Koniar said no further action will be taken until possible solutions have been discussed by the council and engineers. She said possible solutions were lowering the speed limit in town limits to 25, traffic calming solutions, or removing the speed bump at Oak Street and building a three-way stop.

“A three-way stop could be a possibility, especially since the engineers know we’re going to put a building up across the street from Oak Street,” Koniar said, referring to the future Town Hall/Library.

Councilmember Nick Shields voiced concerns about the possible three-way stop at Oak Street, mentioning previous discussions on the subject were shot down due to the curve close to the spot. He stated if cars were backed up at a stop sign, drivers coming around the curve may not have time to slow down before causing an accident. He said there was potential of placing a four-way stop at Gates Avenue to give drivers more time to slow down or lowering the speed limit through town. Koniar added bridge repairs and modifications were planned for the future, and part of the construction will narrow the bridge lanes, which will automatically slow traffic before entering town.

“For 850 people in this town, we’re getting 4 to 5 times the amount of traffic compared to the population who live here,” Koniar said.

Once solutions have been determined, the next step will be for the town to speak with an engineer about making them a reality and what the projects will cost. Koniar believes it would be prudent to conduct the traffic studies now so the costs for future traffic-related projects can be considered when creating the 20-21 fiscal year budget. The new budget begins in October.

For more information on Magnolia Springs, visit www.townofmagnoliasprings.org.