SHELBY — A stoplight at the intersection of Wareham Road and State Route 39 in Shelby may make its return.
Destroyed during a tornado in April 2019, the stoplight never made its return after a traffic study deemed it wasn’t necessary, according to Joe Gies, Shelby project coordinator.
However, more than five years later, a lot has changed along and around State Route 39. Business development and growth has increased vehicle traffic in and out of Shelby.
Furthermore, the development of a future Dunkin’ Donuts franchise, which began construction in April along State Route 39, has led city officials to discuss future traffic concerns.
The coffee and donut company will be a built-in feature of a Mickey Mart gas station, which will also include a truck fueling station.
On Thursday morning, members of the Shelby Traffic Commission gathered at the 5 Water St. Conference Room to discuss the possibility of the stoplight’s return.
Time to ‘pre-plan’ says Shelby police chief
Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs knows his opinion may not be a popular one.
However, he said Thursday it’s time to at least “pre-plan” for a traffic signal to return to the intersection of Wareham Road and State Route 39.
“I’m fine with it (traffic) going into Dunkin’ Donuts, but I would prefer it be diverted to come back out to the extent that we can,” he said.
Several businesses are located nearby the intersection, including Donley Ford of Shelby, Rocket Chevrolet, Arby’s and Discount Drug Mart, among others.
Additionally, the North Central State College Kehoe Center is located just north of the intersection off Lamplighter Lane.
Joe Gies, Shelby project coordinator, said he received a call expressing truck-drivers, traveling to and from nearby Lloyd Rebar, would like to see the stoplight return.
Eric Cutlip, 3rd Ward councilman and vehicle maintenance supervisor for Shelby City Schools, said he knows his bus drivers would also prefer the traffic signal be in place.
Left turns across State Route 39 a concern
During Thursday’s meeting, the traffic commission members discussed whether to pursue a new traffic study at the intersection of Wareham Road and State Route 39.
Gies estimated a study could cost around $8,000.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag asked commission members if they felt a new study would be more helpful if conducted once the future Dunkin’ Donuts/Mickey Mart gas station was open.
Furthermore, Cutlip suggested waiting for Lloyd Rebar’s ongoing expansion to conclude as well.
Gies said the study conducted around 2019 — combined with conversations including Lloyd Rebar and Dunkin’ Donut/Mickey Mart contractors — could be the first step at exploring a new stoplight at Wareham Road.
Additionally, the traffic commission discussed possible signage prohibiting left turns out of the future Dunkin’/Mickey Mart entrance/egress, as well as Lamplighter Lane.
“Where they (customers) go through the drive-thru and come out, if that’s even close to the footprint that they’re building, I’m fine with vehicles turning right out of there and going back into town,” Combs said. “That’s not an issue.
“The issue is people coming out across traffic (on State Route 39) and across traffic with Nicole and Company,” he continued. “If that’s prohibited, if that’s a right turn only, then they’re going to have to make their way back here and they should want to go to the light if they’re going to Mansfield.”
Ultimately, commission members agreed Thursday to review the 2019 traffic study and continue discussing the possible traffic signal and signage at the commission’s next meeting.