Engineering gives update on Hughes intersection at city council meeting

MADISON — Several Madison residents have voiced concerns recently about changes made to the intersection of Hughes Road and Old Madison Pike, so council members asked the city’s engineering director to give an update at their March 25 meeting.

According to Gary Chynoweth, director of the Engineering Department in the City of Madison, the city has been working to repave and restripe the road, and the changes, as they are now, are not permanent.

“It’s a little confusing right now, and we’re waiting for the final striping to go down,” he said at the meeting. “When the final striping goes down, everything will be much quieter and much more clear. We’re approaching the point where we can do that.”

District 6 Councilman Gerald Clark told concerned citizens on Facebook that after talking with Chynoweth, the new striping will be bolder and go all the way through the intersection so the lanes will be more clearly defined to drivers. “There is not a definitive day set yet but they are scheduled to do this in the next few weeks,” he said online.

At the meeting, Chynoweth also said weather plays a large role in the timing of road projects like this one. The new pavement must be dry, and outdoor temperatures must reach at least 50 degrees for three days for the striping to set.

“It has to meet certain environmental requirements for the thermoplastic (used to paint the stripes) to actually adhere properly,” he added.

Once the striping is complete, Chynoweth said there will be slanted lines, or leading lines, to guide drivers safely across the intersection. This will help drivers to better visualize the lane shift. He added that part of the Hughes Road project includes a proposal to make Old Madison Pike five lanes as well, and “if and when” that is done, Chynoweth said the lanes “will actually line up.”

The five lanes will go up to the entrance of Madison Towne Centre at Sunset Boulevard, located off of Old Madison Pike. “That gives enough time for the two lanes to go through the intersection and merge into one,” Chynoweth added.

Plans for the intersection also include new paint for the entire area, according to Chynoweth. “The lanes on Old Madison Pike at that intersection—the paint’s almost gone,” he said. “We’ll brighten up the entire intersection.”

To report an issue or put in a request for service, visit www.madisonal.gov/71/let-us-know or madisonal.qscend.com.