A motorist driving erratically through the construction zone on Wathen Lane was the impetus for changing the traffic restrictions again at the often-altered work now many months behind its originally scheduled completion date.
The Henderson Police Department made a release with information from the city of Henderson that stated: “Due to a careless driving incident that nearly resulted in a serious accident at the job site, the Wathen Lane construction area will have new rules in place governing access over the next two weeks.”
HPD Officer Jason Cullum, the department’s public information officer, said there was no official report filed with the police but did say someone was almost hit by a car at the site.
Now, HPD officers are at the construction zone and will be there the next few days making sure the area is safe, Cullum said.
An HPD release said Wathen Lane between Braxton Park Drive and Wolf Hills Boulevard has been shut down to through traffic.
Residents of the area who use Wolf Hills Boulevard to get to their homes can only access that road by driving on U.S. 60 and turning onto Wathen Lane and then Wolf Hills Boulevard.
On the north side of the construction zone, residents of Braxton Park will only be able to arrive at their home by driving Wolf Hills Road and Green River Road, then Wathen Lane and finally to Braxton Park Drive, said the release.
The Wednesday changes come on the heels of the opening of one lane of traffic that went into effect Monday night and lasted till Wednesday’s announcement.
On Thursday, crews were scheduled to do curb and gutter work that is expected to last to Saturday. During the non-work hours, a temporary traffic signal will assist residents of those neighborhoods to navigate their way through construction. Cullum warned, though, that only residents should drive on the road from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Wathen Lane should not be used as a cut-through to U.S. 41 during non-work hours.
After Memorial Day, workers are expected to start laying base-coat asphalt and stripe the road. A previous release from HPD said that the work should be complete by May 31, and after its completion, the section of the road will be open for two lanes of traffic.
Cullum said, though, the project is constantly evolving and HPD will disseminate updates as new sections are completed.