LUMBERTON, Texas — The state thinks a median would help, but some Lumberton city council members don't like it.
Lumberton officials don't like the idea of installing a median down parts of Hwy. 96.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the $1.5 million proposal would cut down on crashes. In the last four years, the state recorded almost 160 wrecks in the area, all as drivers were turning.
"I think it's not unfamiliar to everyone that Lumberton has a lot of traffic issues here," said Bryan Denison.
Denison is the owner of Eclectic Coffee House off the highway.
He believes adding a median would help reduce congestion.
"At any given time between three o'clock and five o'clock in the afternoon it's bumper to bumper," said Dension.
Last week the city council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposal. Council members claim the median would make it more difficult for drivers to access businesses.
They also worried about access during emergencies, including hurricane evacuations.
City Manager Steve Clarks believes a lot of the reported crashes in the area result from distracted drivers. The project is expected to go out for bid in April 2020. The Department of Transportation plans on having a public meeting on the proposal soon.