Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland has on-going conversation with WGNS' listeners about their concerns. The mayor checks out the need for widening Memorial Boulevard (US 231) from the VA Hospital out to Walter Hill. TDOT has planned this for many years, and that is why the 5-lane bridge was built over the Stones River on that road. However, funding is not available.
Public Responds
In e-mail between the listener and the mayor, she said, "Another thought, and temporary fix, for the immediate problem with the left turn into the golf course is maybe some sort of sign like -
LEFT TURN
GOLF COURSE ONLY
7AM - 9AM
Not sure what it would take to get something like that, but justification for it could be witnessed by sitting and observing that spot on any given school day during that time . . even between 7am-8am. If all the cars making that left turn by the golf course and following the road over to the VA had to make their left turn at the main VA entrance that has a turn lane, problem would be solved!"
Traffic Citations Might Change Habits
Another resident noted, "This is all in the Murfreesboro city limits. For in-bound traffic, place a sign that reads turning for golf patrons only, VA traffic use turn lane ahead. Then place a police car giving out tickets to offenders there for several weeks. I'll bet the problem will be solved more quickly than you can imagine."
Mayor McFarland concluded, "Hopefully, if the funding of Jefferson Pike is approved, this would help with the widening of 231. The current funding of the TDOT budget is lagging and that complicates some of the road projects."
