EGP fully open Tuesday

[wilkiesan]

WDAM reports the parkway will open from Hwy 11 to Walmart Tuesday.

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

i am so excited I will be able to get on at Walmart in petal and be at the 98 in no time....

I am scared there will be some wrecks there at the Wal mart in petal though

[Wimpy]

OK, I have a question.....

As of right now there is no light at EGP and 42. I doubt that one will be installed by next week. So how will the merge work ?

After turning into WalMart from 42 (going east) there is a right turn lane onto EGP at the lights at EGP. This coupled with the fact there is no light 1/4 mile further leads me to believe..... that 42 will be closed between the entry to WalMart and where EGP merges with EGP. In other words to go to the high school or east...you'll have to make a left turn on the entry to WalMart and then right again at the new signal. I can see no other way they plan to do it. Can you imagine a stop sign at 42 where it merges ? Accidents galore !

If you've gotten this far ....I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. If not , I may have confused myself also. But my main question is....

Does anyone know how this is supposed to work at the EGP & 42 intersection ?

[Pop]

At least they picked spring break to test it. Can you imagine if they did this with school in session, mornings will be a nightmare untill every one gets used to it. I was led to believe the same thing that the section of 42 between the light at Walmart and Corinth rd (threee mile cut off) will not be used anymore.

[TheCapitalist]

Can't wait. Any way around Petal is a good thing.

[MSQueen]

Can't wait. Any way around Petal is a good thing.

surely u don't mean that, Cap? :)

[metal protector]

I am confused about this too. :smt102

OK, I have a question.....

As of right now there is no light at EGP and 42. I doubt that one will be installed by next week. So how will the merge work ?

After turning into WalMart from 42 (going east) there is a right turn lane onto EGP at the lights at EGP. This coupled with the fact there is no light 1/4 mile further leads me to believe..... that 42 will be closed between the entry to WalMart and where EGP merges with EGP. In other words to go to the high school or east...you'll have to make a left turn on the entry to WalMart and then right again at the new signal. I can see no other way they plan to do it. Can you imagine a stop sign at 42 where it merges ? Accidents galore !

If you've gotten this far ....I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. If not , I may have confused myself also. But my main question is....

Does anyone know how this is supposed to work at the EGP & 42 intersection ?

[MSQueen]

it is very confusing to me, too. i guess i'll have to take a trip to The WalMart tomorrow to check it out... :(

[Tully Mars]

OK, I have a question.....

As of right now there is no light at EGP and 42. I doubt that one will be installed by next week. So how will the merge work ?

After turning into WalMart from 42 (going east) there is a right turn lane onto EGP at the lights at EGP. This coupled with the fact there is no light 1/4 mile further leads me to believe..... that 42 will be closed between the entry to WalMart and where EGP merges with EGP. In other words to go to the high school or east...you'll have to make a left turn on the entry to WalMart and then right again at the new signal. I can see no other way they plan to do it. Can you imagine a stop sign at 42 where it merges ? Accidents galore !

If you've gotten this far ....I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. If not , I may have confused myself also. But my main question is....

Does anyone know how this is supposed to work at the EGP & 42 intersection ?

The section of 42 between the existing light at 42 and the point at which EGP and 42 merge will be closed. From that point at the light heading back west into Petal will no longer be considered 42. It will be Central Avenue. If you are coming from the school (heading west) you will take a left turn at the new light to get onto Central Avenue to go towards Main Street. Going straight at the light, of course, will keep you on EGP and towards Highway 11 and the interstate.

On the other hand, if you are coming from town heading out towards the school, Central Avenue will turn left onto Byrd Parkway. If you stay straight on Byrd you will go to the Walmart parking lot. If you turn right at the light you will head out 42 towards the school.

I hope this makes sense.

[wilebill]

So you're saying the new center of town will be Wal-Mart? :smt102

[Tully Mars]

So you're saying the new center of town will be Wal-Mart? :smt102

Nope, just saying that a new intersection will be at Walmart. I imagine that once it opens on Tuesday that they correct paths to follow will be obvious. It is kind of funny cause I have to explain how it will work to my wife and kids everytime we go by there.

[Wimpy]

The section of 42 between the existing light at 42 and the point at which EGP and 42 merge will be closed. From that point at the light heading back west into Petal will no longer be considered 42. It will be Central Avenue. If you are coming from the school (heading west) you will take a left turn at the new light to get onto Central Avenue to go towards Main Street. Going straight at the light, of course, will keep you on EGP and towards Highway 11 and the interstate.

On the other hand, if you are coming from town heading out towards the school, Central Avenue will turn left onto Byrd Parkway. If you stay straight on Byrd you will go to the Walmart parking lot. If you turn right at the light you will head out 42 towards the school.

I hope this makes sense.

That's exactly what I was trying to say....only you make it sound clearer !

I can see that intersection at Byrd Parkway/EGP as a real bottleneck if you're coming from town toward the high school. In my opinion, a much better option would have been to place another light at EGP/Corinth Rd (or old 42 if you prefer) with the longer light on "old 42". I still believe that more traffic at that point (the end of EGP) will becoming on "old 42" coming out of town than EGP at that point. Seems to me another light would be small change after the many dollars already spent on the project. I can just imagine that intersection during Christmas shopping time.

Of course, we'll have to wait and see. MDOT probably doesn't really know either.

[Tully Mars]

That's exactly what I was trying to say....only you make it sound clearer !

I can see that intersection at Byrd Parkway/EGP as a real bottleneck if you're coming from town toward the high school. In my opinion, a much better option would have been to place another light at EGP/Corinth Rd (or old 42 if you prefer) with the longer light on "old 42". I still believe that more traffic at that point (the end of EGP) will becoming on "old 42" coming out of town than EGP at that point. Seems to me another light would be small change after the many dollars already spent on the project. I can just imagine that intersection during Christmas shopping time.

Of course, we'll have to wait and see. MDOT probably doesn't really know either.

Part of the logic (if MDOT is capable of such) is that traffic will be spread over both EGP and Central Avenue and is should disperse easier and quicker. The problem with an additional light is at Corinth is that MDOT has policies about distances between signals and Corinth and the light at EGP & Byrd are too close together.

On another note, work should begin soon to extend Byrd Parkway to Old Richton Road and will provide another route from that end of town.

[proudtobefrompetal]

First of all let me state how very excited I am that the EGP is finally going to be open!!! I'm so thrilled that I am considering being late for work on Tuesday just so I can drive all the way from 42 to 59... Petal is finally coming out of the Stone Age!

My question is... are there lights at the intersections of the EGP and Old Richton Road and Fairchild Drive and Main Street (out by Chapel Hill)? Won't those areas help with any bottle necking at Byrd and 42?

[ynotme297]

try making a left turn off corinth road and see what kind of a problem it is.

[Tully Mars]

First of all let me state how very excited I am that the EGP is finally going to be open!!! I'm so thrilled that I am considering being late for work on Tuesday just so I can drive all the way from 42 to 59... Petal is finally coming out of the Stone Age!

My question is... are there lights at the intersections of the EGP and Old Richton Road and Fairchild Drive and Main Street (out by Chapel Hill)? Won't those areas help with any bottle necking at Byrd and 42?

There will be a signal light at Byrd and Old Richton Road. Leeville Road and Fairchild will have stop signs.

[Tully Mars]

try making a left turn off corinth road and see what kind of a problem it is.

Yea, folks living on Corinth might want to scope out an alternate route.

[Pine Belt Girl]

It wasn't open this Tueday morning at 7:10 am :(

[MSQueen]

i went to Petal walmart yesterday after work and it looked like to me they still had alot of "loose ends" to tie up in that area. i say it won't open until the end of the week, if then. :(

[politically incorrect]

I just drove the EGP all the way through Petal. It is a nice ride (should be for $36 million). A couple of potential problems: Speeding, especially through the intersections (even with red lights, you need to SLOW down); and no signs on Hwy 11 letting you know which onramp takes you back into Petal and which goes toward Hattiesburg. That can get a little confusing. A sign would sure help.

All in all, I think the EGP turned out better than I expected. I still don't expect the "explosive" level of growth everyone keeps talking about, but I do see potential for a new commercial corridor that should attract lots of restaurants and retail outlets to Petal.

I heard the other day that Appleby's is coming to town along with Chili's, and that Lowe's might also be looking to add a store in Petal. Anyone else hear that?

[Smokey Bear]

It's open !! Just drove from Walmart to Highway 11 and back. It sure will cut off a lot of time to get to 98. Traffic was backed up on the old 42 and Byrd Parkway when we went by but it had cleared out by the time we returned. They are ripping up the pavement on the old section of 42 that is now closed. The traffic configuration doesn't seem as bad as I feared.
I'm glad that it is open !!

[TheCapitalist]

surely u don't mean that, Cap? :)
YEP! Now that they have a way around it and a wal mart i say close the other bridges and be done with it. :laugh:

[Pine Belt Girl]

OMG - the EGP! I was heading home on Hwy. 11. Right when I approached the turn to 1st (?) Ave, the RR gates started lowering. I scooted down the road, got on the EGP, and flew right over the train. :) It looked like about 100 cars! I have lived in Petal my ENTIRE life and have cursed and waited on trains for that entire time as well. Now if we could just fly over the RR tracks in Hattiesburg!!

[Ted]

Now if we could just fly over the RR tracks in Hattiesburg!!Ya got that right!!!:)
I live a couple of houses down from that track in H'burg but I do 99% of my business in Petal - largely because of that train. At least I can get to Petal.

[Pine Belt Girl]

What is the construction going on just past Wal-Mart on the newly opened section? If you are passing Wal-mart on your right,(coming from Hwy 42), it looks like dirt work is being done up on the hill on the right. Is it the mythical Chili's of Petal?

[Kitty]

We drove over to Petal this afternoon to check out the new EGP.

Very nice!

:clap:

[Tully Mars]

What is the construction going on just past Wal-Mart on the newly opened section? If you are passing Wal-mart on your right,(coming from Hwy 42), it looks like dirt work is being done up on the hill on the right. Is it the mythical Chili's of Petal?

Yes.

[wilebill]

The code enforcement guys better be getting on their ass.

[ynotme297]

cocked on G, sittin on O

[Tommy9854]

There was already a bad wreck on the new part. Looked like a car got t-boned. It was on the intersection with a stop sign.

[ynotme297]

what time of day was it. after 5? i know fire/ rescue responded to one around noon. they went west on central. was it on hwy 11 maybe?

[Tommy9854]

what time of day was it. after 5? i know fire/ rescue responded to one around noon. they went west on central. was it on hwy 11 maybe?

It was around 1ish. The one I saw. When I passed by they were getting the vehicles one the wrecker, but the ambulance was still there.

[carsalesguy]

is petal so cheap as to not use traffic lights?

[Tully Mars]

is petal so cheap as to not use traffic lights?

MDOT designed it, contracted it, oversaw the construction of it. The absence of a light at EGP & Leeville Road was an MDOT call. The unfortunate part is that there is no telling how many wrecks will happen there before they admit that they screwed up and fix it.

Mississippi state government at its finest. :clap:

[LipsofanAngel]

I'm just glad the whole thing is open. I got from Oak Grove to Old Richton in 15 minutes (even going the speed limit)!!!

[ynotme297]

MDOT designed it, contracted it, oversaw the construction of it. The absence of a light at EGP & Leeville Road was an MDOT call. The unfortunate part is that there is no telling how many wrecks will happen there before they admit that they screwed up and fix it.

Mississippi state government at its finest. :clap:
how very true tully

[Petal Polk]

I am glad that we have the EGP, but it makes my Petal look different. I think they really need a light on Leeville Road.

[politically incorrect]

I head today that the Leeville Road crossing was the site today of an accident involving the wife of Beat 3 Supervisor Lynn Cartlidge. I bet that gets us a traffic light up there in a hurry. My own wife said going across on Leeville Road was like taking your life into your own hands. You have to cross all four lanes of traffic at once.

[IGID]

I head today that the Leeville Road crossing was the site today of an accident involving the wife of Beat 3 Supervisor Lynn Cartlidge. I bet that gets us a traffic light up there in a hurry. My own wife said going across on Leeville Road was like taking your life into your own hands. You have to cross all four lanes of traffic at once.It wasn't his wife. It was Lynn and his wife on their way to church. Everybody was ok, but two cars were probably totalled. How fast do you think the red light will come now? I'd bet pretty quick.

[metal protector]

on the 5 o'clock news they had a little thing on there about the interception being dangerous. It has a blindspot and cars get t-boned, 4 major in 2 weeks. Atleast that is what mayor scott was saying. The highway people said people are not used to stopping there, or something like that. :rly:

[No-Halo]

I stop there all the time, usually without my head where it shouldnt be. :)

[ynotme297]

ya know everybody knew that the egp would open one day, and a lot of traffic would be on it. why in the hell don't they just take the time to see whats coming. i cross there several times a day, before and after it was opened, and i have not even come close to having an accident.

[No-Halo]

ya know everybody knew that the egp would open one day, and a lot of traffic would be on it. why in the hell don't they just take the time to see whats coming. i cross there several times a day, before and after it was opened, and i have not even come close to having an accident.
Cause you have your head where it belongs. :)

[SoMissTV]

Is this MDOT's version of natural selection?

[ynotme297]

hell, i don't wanna get t-boned. damn that hurts. i know first hand:smt103

[LipsofanAngel]

So I was driving on the EGP on Sunday... and I made note of the questionable intersection. Honestly? I don't see the need for a traffic light. It looks like people just need to be more cautious is all. People know now that there's an intersection... just LOOK and see if a car is coming! If there is- then don't cross! Shouldn't be that hard.

I don't live in Petal or drive down that road much though... just the opinion of a passer by.

[Pine Belt Girl]

When I am on the EGP going through that intersection (EGP & Main) heading to Hwy 11 around 7:30 am, I see traffic backed up at the stop sign waiting to cross from the Chapel Hill side. Sometimes it is 15 - 20 cars deep and is probably blocking the intersection of Chapel Hill & Leeville. That seems like a dangerous situation.

[Tommy9854]

Sure...It might not be a busy place. But, what if a person gets killed there that you know and it could have been prevented, but yet they don't want to pay for a traffic light? It's one of those "better safe than sorry" cases. Kind of like that railroad crossing out in Eastabuchie. It's like it has to take a few people to get killed for people to say, "hey, this isn't working". That's when it's too late.

[Conveyor Belt]

Sure...It might not be a busy place. But, what if a person gets killed there that you know and it could have been prevented, but yet they don't want to pay for a traffic light? It's one of those "better safe than sorry" cases. Kind of like that railroad crossing out in Eastabuchie. It's like it has to take a few people to get killed for people to say, "hey, this isn't working". That's when it's too late.

Just because there's a light there doesn't mean people aren't going to get killed there. People put all this faith in traffic signals, but I still make sure the cars are going to stop before entering an intersection.

[Tommy9854]

Just because there's a light there doesn't mean people aren't going to get killed there. People put all this faith in traffic signals, but I still make sure the cars are going to stop before entering an intersection.

True. But I think it would be safer with a traffic light. Mistakes are going to happen as long as humans are driving. But, putting a light there will cut that chance down a lot.

[SoMissTV]

So would putting in big gates that come down when the lights turn red, but it'd be thoroughly impractical.

[Tommy9854]

So would putting in big gates that come down when the lights turn red, but it'd be thoroughly impractical.

I wasn't mentioning something off-the-wall like "gates coming down". I mentioned a red light, which every other intersection on the EGP has.

[noway]

Heard on the scanner yesterday they had a 3 car wreck with 6 people hurt at leeville rd crossing...

[LipsofanAngel]

Looks like they need either a red light... or better drivers ed for Petal folk :smt118

If they think a red light will work... maybe that's the solution. BUT- if people aren't even noticing the big blinking warning lights... what makes you think they'll be stopping for a red light?

[Conveyor Belt]

I wasn't mentioning something off-the-wall like "gates coming down". I mentioned a red light, which every other intersection on the EGP has.

There are several intersections on the EGP that lack lights.

How many accidents are there at the entrance to Trailwood? I would think there's a fair amount of traffic coming from there, and Sherwood, all the subs out on that end. I never hear for a call for a light down there. Now, are they better drivers?

[IGID]

The problem with the Leeville crossing is the inattention of the second two lane road you must cross. All the wrecks happen while crossing the second two lane section, not the first. Sure, a red light would help, but the main cause is inattention.

[Conveyor Belt]

Maybe they could put a stop sign in the middle of the intersection for people crossing. So, they'd have to stop at the first sign, stop again in the middle and then continue on. I've seen that setup a few times.

[Pine Belt Girl]

Heard on the scanner yesterday they had a 3 car wreck with 6 people hurt at leeville rd crossing...

Does anyone have anymore info about this wreck?? It really sounds bad.:(

[LipsofanAngel]

Well, it must be all the folk in Petal that think there should be a stoplight. I just asked my P-town friend what he thought... "OH YEAH there needs to be a stop light!!! All there is now is a Stop sign".... hmmmm last I checked, that would be, I don't know, a warning to "Stop"?

I know Old Richton is a high traffic road, so I can see the need for a stoplight there, so that traffic doesn't get really backed up. Is Leeville road as busy? If so, the I guess you could justify a stop light based on that. Must be pretty well traveled or I wouldn't think there would be as many wrecks.

And no, PNB, I don't have any info on that wreck.

[Tommy9854]

Well, it must be all the folk in Petal that think there should be a stoplight. I just asked my P-town friend what he thought... "OH YEAH there needs to be a stop light!!! All there is now is a Stop sign".... hmmmm last I checked, that would be, I don't know, a warning to "Stop"?

I know Old Richton is a high traffic road, so I can see the need for a stoplight there, so that traffic doesn't get really backed up. Is Leeville road as busy? If so, the I guess you could justify a stop light based on that. Must be pretty well traveled or I wouldn't think there would be as many wrecks.

And no, PNB, I don't have any info on that wreck.
The thing is, coming from Leeville into Petal you can't really see the stop sign because your coming down a hill. If somebody's coming and you don't see/remember the stop sign, your screwed. a stop light would be higher elevated and people would be more likely to see it.

Sure, after everybody goes on it a few times, they should remember, but is that worth losing a life because people want to be cheap?

[Conveyor Belt]

Maybe a "Stop Ahead" sign with flashing solar powered lights would be more in order, since not knowing about the stop sign is the major issue...

[LipsofanAngel]

Maybe a "Stop Ahead" sign with flashing solar powered lights would be more in order, since not knowing about the stop sign is the major issue...
I saw on the news a couple weeks ago that they DID install the blinking stop ahead lights... can people not see those from the hill either? Not trying to be sarcastic- I'm actually asking. I've only crossed on there from EGP and not on Leeville.

[Conveyor Belt]

I'm still trying to think about where the hill is... in my mind, that part of leeville is pretty flat... maybe a slight downgrade from Chappel hill, but nothing like the hill on Old Richton and EGP...

[IGID]

Once again, it has nothing to do with the stop sign. It is the inattention of the second two lane road you must cross.

[Conveyor Belt]

Once again, it has nothing to do with the stop sign. It is the inattention of the second two lane road you must cross.

Damnit IGID, don't you know it's the ROAD's fault and the STUPID people who designed the intersections??? It CAN'T be the Driver's fault, EVER!!! Stupid roads and stupid cars, but never stupid drivers...

[Tommy9854]

I'm still trying to think about where the hill is... in my mind, that part of leeville is pretty flat... maybe a slight downgrade from Chappel hill, but nothing like the hill on Old Richton and EGP...

It's not like a "cliff-hanger" hill or nothing. Can't really explain it.

Still, crossing 4 lanes with just one stop sign isn't the smartest thing to do. I don't care what anybody says.

[LipsofanAngel]

Still, crossing 4 lanes with just one stop sign isn't the smartest thing to do. I don't care what anybody says.
why? Is it because people can't figure out that it's probably wise to stop after 2, look again, and then go? Or what?

[Tommy9854]

why? Is it because people can't figure out that it's probably wise to stop after 2, look again, and then go? Or what?

Usually, with the way humans drive, if it doesn't say stop, they won't. Kind of how everybody speeds up for the slow down light.

Sorry, I would just feel safer with a stop light there. I would only have to worry about me stopping and going at the right times. Not some car doin 75 mph.

[Bahlk]

My thought is this: Highway 98 and 49 does not have a light installed at every intersection there is. Sometimes the driver trying to cross the highway will actually have to put down their cellphone, stop emailing on their blackberry while driving, or stop playing with their radio while driving and then maybe accidents will be reduced.

[ynotme297]

Usually, with the way humans drive, if it doesn't say stop, they won't. Kind of how everybody speeds up for the slow down light.

Sorry, I would just feel safer with a stop light there. I would only have to worry about me stopping and going at the right times. Not some car doin 75 mph.
yea, then you gotta hope some idiot doesn't run the light and hit you. remove head from a@@. thats all they have to do. i go through there bout every day and have never come close to getting hit. why, i pay attention. i knew they were building it, i knew there would be lots of cars, i knew there would be no light.

[Pine Belt Girl]

The main reason that I think there should be a light is the congestion. Cars waiting to cross are backing up on Leeville past the Chapel Hill intersection. People waiting on Chapel Hill then get delayed trying to cross Leeville or turn on to Leeville. I think a well-timed light would alleviate the congestion and create a safer intersection.

[Conveyor Belt]

I think they should put red lights at every intersection in town. You never know when someone might be killed at one, and we need the lights to save lives.