Town hall held in Wilson County to discuss problematic Highway 109

LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — State officials called for a town hall inside Wilson County’s commission chambers Friday morning to discuss a dangerous stretch of road: Highway 109.

Officials, including the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), and Wilson County’s mayor shared ways they are trying to improve the highway.

“We’re here today to try and find solutions,” state representative Clark Boyd, who led the meeting, said.

Numerous residents spoke to the need for more traffic lights and a lower speed limit, especially as growth and new developments continue along the highway.

“We shouldn’t have to ask [for changes]” longtime resident, Amy Lane, said. “That’s why I’m so frustrated, because it’s this way all the time…It’s like nobody is listening to anything we say, and then people die, and it’s no big deal.”

Wilson County officials said several traffic signals have gone up along the highway. County mayor Randall Hutto said the situation has improved compared to where it once was. THP, for their part, said that they have committed further resources to Highway 109.

“We’re going to affect change in the future,” an attending THP captain said.

TDOT also shared data that showed the average speed of drivers along Highway 109 was 55 mph, the speed limit. However, residents said they see the problems every day and want more immediate change.

“There was a car that ended up in someone’s backyard a couple months ago, maybe a year ago. We just need something to change,” detailed Spence Creek resident Shelby Stephens said.

“Instead of wasting money and time, just go ahead and put the [red] lights up!” Lane added. “But we’re going to spend a lot of money to do a lot of studies when we can take that money and actually put it towards what will help fix the problem.”

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