County commissioners approve action on Colbert-D’ville Road

Madison County commissioners agreed Nov. 26 to improvements at a dangerous spot on one of the county’s most heavily traveled roads.

There have been three fatalities in the past 10 years at the curve at Colbert-Danielsville Road and Old Kincaid Road, including the recent death of a local high school student.

Leaders have received numerous requests over the years to do something about the road, which is heavily traveled by teenagers going to and from the high school. And board members asked county engineer Phil Munro to look at possible improvements at the curve.

Munro appeared before commissioners Nov. 26 with a possible action.


“It’s essentially a tapered widening of the inside of that curve,” he said.

The widening of the curve, which will cost an estimated $4,536, would allow the portion of the road to be safely driven at 50 to 55 mph under state guidelines. Such a speed is now considered unsafe at that curve. The proposal also includes a “rumble edge indentation” to alert drivers of the curve’s danger.

Commissioner Mike Youngblood asked that the board also consider chevron signs to warn people at a distance that they need to slow down for the curve.

Jeremy Payne, who lost his girlfriend in a wreck at the curve in 2002, asked the board to consider additional measures. He suggested that the board consider leveling the hill and straightening the curve. He also said the board might consider a permanent digital speed sign to let motorist know how fast they are traveling.

“All roads are dangerous,” he said. “But that’s one really dangerous place there.”

ELECTION BOARD HEARING

In other matters Monday, the board held a public hearing on a proposal to establish a county elections board. Ruth Ann Tesanovich of the Madison County Democratic Party said the local party supports the proposal to have both Republicans and Democrats nominate a member for a planned three-person board. The third member, as proposed, will be the county registrar, who will serve as the chairman of the election board.
The BOC will hold a second public hearing on the proposed election board at its Dec. 3 meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Madison County resident and long-time poll manager for the county’s Pittman district Leo Smith addressed the BOC at the close of Monday’s meeting. He voiced several concerns about the proposal. For instance, he said he felt there should be a full-time county election supervisor, who serves as a department head.

“This is a very, very important position,” he said.

Likewise, Smith said he doesn’t support partisan nominations to the election board.

“I do not see why it is necessary to bring the political parties into this process,” said Smith.

The proposed election board must be submitted to the Georgia General Assembly in early 2013 for a “Yes” or “No” vote.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other matters Nov. 26, the board approved a contract with Southland Power Fence and Equipment Company of Colbert for $18,860 to provide fencing around the playing fields at the new soccer complex off Brewer Phillips Road. Recreation department maintenance director Grady Autry said the soccer complex should be ready to open for the spring soccer season.

Speed limit signs of 35 mph were approved on Joe Graham Road, Ed Coile Road and Billy Dillard Road. Speed limit signs of 25 mph were approved in Bryant Woods Subdivision and on Watson Drive. The board agreed to get bids on taking down two big, dead pine trees on Virginia Lane.

Commission chairman Anthony Dove reported that the county has received its Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) check from the state for 2013. County commissioners have yet to decide exactly what road projects will be addressed next year.

Commissioner John Pethel was not in attendance Monday due to an illness in the family.