Improvements Needed At Entrance To Wilcox Tunnel

  • Sunday, June 26, 2016

I am writing this letter to bring to your attention to a city traffic issue that needs to be addressed immediately, the sooner the better. I can see no large cost factor.

 

Recently, while as a concerned citizen, removing trash and litter from the entry/exit area of the Wilcox Tunnel on the side that runs into Chamberlain Avenue, I fully realized that this area could be and should be made a much safer area, immediately.  It would not be a great expense, especially since thousands travel that route.

 

A local Chattanooga citizen/activist and WNOO AM1260 radio co-host recently spoke to the issue of improving the safety aspects of this area.  Mrs.

Cynthia Stanley Cash lives in the area and travels through the tunnel on a regular basis.  We believe it is very urgent that this be acted on immediately, especially in awareness of the recent tragic death of Mr. Justin Trimble due to an accident on his motorcycle on the Chamberlain Avenue side of the tunnel.

 

Mr. Trimble was recently located, along with his motorcycle, after approximately two weeks of searching in various areas of the city, in the bushes and overgrown area on that side of the tunnel. 

 

The loss of Mr. Trimble in this tragic accident was compounded for his family and friends by the loss of his cousin – Mr. Derrick Bush – who passed away recently due to injuries he suffered at another vehicle accident site.  Sadly this accident occurred at the conclusion of the search for Justin that Derrick was participating in as he searched to locate his missing cousin.  Both these accidents were very, very sad in a tragic sequence of events for all.

 

It is my opinion, shared by many others, that the Chamberlain side of Wilcox Tunnel could be greatly improved by several immediate changes, probably on the other side of the tunnel as well.  These safety improvements need to include:

  1. Installation of flashing caution lights and signs;
  2. Paving of entry/exit areas of the tunnel with non-skid pavement;
  3. Installation of slow down vehicle strips in the tunnel, especially at entry/exit areas;
  4. Enhanced slow down lane enforcement presence;
  5. Daily litter/trash removal from the area.

 

As our elected government representatives, we await your prompt response before another tragedy.  Both of these young progressive fellas also happened to be my relatives.

 

Brother H. Bush

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