Lawrence Street, Highway 24 gets red light

After more than four years of trying to improve the intersection of Lawrence Street, Walnut Gate Road and Highway 24, the Russellville City Council is moving forward on the project.

The planned improvement, which will include a red light to help the flow of traffic, is anticipated to cost $400,000. The entire project is funded by the state.

Originally, improvements to the intersection were supposed to be included in an industrial access project, but somehow the intersection was lost in the shuffle. After speaking with the state highway director, Councilman David Palmer said things began to change direction.

“They saw it in their hearts to reopen the industrial access project and allow us to do this,” Palmer said. 

At a recent city council meeting, the council approved to begin advertisement for bids on the project. A bid will be approved at an upcoming city council meeting.

Councilman Jamie Harris said he is glad to see improvements in the works. 

“That’s in my district, and that’s greatly needed,” Harris said. “It will make things a lot safer out there.”