Rivermill Subdivision Resident Implores Barrow Citizens to Contact DOT About Turn Lane

Dear Editor, 

After her second surgery, the critically injured party in the recent crash at Rivermill & Highway 81 is in recovery and battlng a lung infection while awaiting yet another surgery.

It has been so heartwarming to hear the incoming stories of how many neighbors and friends have called the media, left messages for local politicians, and contacted the DOT office about the bridge project, as well as the project manager — Doug Fadool. 

We are determined to never let an accident like this happen again. But ... It's not even close to over.

We met with the DOT rep today. We are demanding a turn lane into our subdivision not only for our residents, but especially for the children of YARGO Elementary, HAYMON-MORRIS Middle, and APALACHEE High. The bridge expansion project will increase traffic flow and speeds on 81 along the 2.2 mile stretch on road with not a single area requiring cars and trucks to slow down. From Carl Bethlehem/81 traffic signal to the Bold Springs 4-way stop traffic speed is unimpeded in any way!!!! By the time trucks reach our entrance they are often exceeding 70mph ... No chance of stopping.

As a side note and, quite the icing on the proverbial cake, there was a screech of tires, loud horns, and a hurried turn-in as we stood at the entrance discussing plans with the DOT. That's right, one of our residents was nearly involved in ANOTHER accident at this intersection while the DOT Right-of-Way Specialist, Trent Smallwood, was standing there with us.

Again, we beg you Barrow County, contact local media, flood their inboxes with emails. Jump on the DOT website and lodge a complaint about this project and how it will make the traffic flow even more devastatingly unsafe.

Sincerely and even more determined,

Sydney BellvilleMoore

Click here to read a previous letter to the editor submitted by this resident. 

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