Graphic provided by the City of ThomasvilleGraphic shows Smith Avenue intersection where a full-signal traffic light is proposed. 

THOMASVILLE — The City of Thomasville has been turned down for a traffic signal at a Smith Avenue intersection, but a second request will be made.

The proposed site is at Smith’s intersection with Susie Way to the south and the Jail-Justice Center to the north.

Thomasville City Council members said the light is needed to accommodate people using a bike/walk trail that eventually will traverse nearby Cherokee Lake Park and cross Smith, which also is U.S. 84.

“We can’t simply put it up without their permission,” City Manager Steve Sykes told the council during an early April workshop, in reference to the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT).

Another signal discussed would be a couple of hundred feet to the east of the intersection. The light would be operational only when someone wanting to cross Smith pushed a button to make the light come on and stop traffic.

Council members nixed the light, saying it would not be a wise way to stop traffic for walkers/bikers.

In January 2015, the city submitted a request for a full signal. The DOT district engineer denied the request, according to city officials.

If DOT denies the request, the city has Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue to fund a full-signal light. An overhead light attached by wire to concrete poles would cost about $120,000.

Jerry Pionessa, city engineer and assistant city manager, talked to public safety officials at the Jail-Justice Center and personnel at a nearby city utilities facility.

“Both were very much in support of the traffic signal,” Pioneesa told council members this week.

Sykes said a full signal is safer.

“That to me is the only viable solution,” Council member Max Beverly said.

A letter from Mayor Greg Hobbs requesting the light will go to DOT.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820