The City of Auburn has asked the state to move a road project up on the list as concern grows of a possible accident, or worse an injury.

The intersection of Main Street and Hwy. 103 (across from the Minit Mart) in downtown Auburn needs to be reconfigured and widened, says future Auburn Mayor Mike Hughes, who will take the office officially in January. Tractor trailer trucks traveling into town from Hwy. 103 (Wilson Avenue) are cutting through private property to make the turn onto Main Street and something needs to be done to change that, said Hughes.

Hughes has been talking with Representative Martha Jane King about the problem. He said there is going to be a meeting sometime the first of next year with the state and King as the mediator. Hughes hopes this project can be expedited since Auburn has been facing this problem for some time now.

Another issue with the intersection is the destruction these trucks have been causing on the corner of the intersection. Pierce Memorial Methodist Church sits on one of the corners and a concrete barrier has been destroyed over and over due to the trucks not being able to clear the turn. The intersection is to sharp, says Hughes. The trucks cutting through the parking lot on the other side is also causing wear and tear on the asphalt.

There is a company located in Auburn that uses the intersection frequently, along with farmers who bring their grain trucks through that area. School buses are also have difficulty maneuvering the turn. This is frustrating to the truck drivers as well.

“Going through private property is no longer acceptable,” said Hughes, adding that the property owners of the parking lot where the trucks are cutting through are being very patient and are willing to work with the city short term to find a solution.

This project has been on the states list to look at several years down the road, however, city officials want something done now because they are afraid it may be more than just property damage if left unattended to. Hughes said there are a lot of children that walk in that area when school lets out.

If trucks attempt to turn at the intersection instead of cutting through the parking lot, they get hung up at the intersection, which blocks traffic and causes a safety issue.

Citizens have been sending letters to the city which are being forwarded to King who can use them help move the project along. The city urges any business owners, farmers, bus drivers or individuals who are effected by the intersection to please send a letter with their name to auburnky@logantele.com. Auburn Police Chief Ron Mills has been taking photos of the intersection to send to King as well.