By Jane Mo

A new bypass is under construction on state route 72 to ease traffic. However, Madison county residents and officials are concerned that the new intersection does not acknowledge the potential for pedestrian accidents.

Parents like Felicia Scarborough are especially concerned that these accidents would involve their children that attend Comer Elementary, a school that is just over a thousand feet away.

“I thought it was going to be good for our area, but I didn’t know it would be this close to the school system and it’s already a lot of traffic on this side. It makes me nervous to know that there’s going to be more traffic,” said Felicia.

The school has taken action and started a petition that has gotten over 100 signatures to install a traffic light.

“No one wants to see something tragic happen before they put a light in, so we’re trying our best to raise awareness of the safety issues and hopefully get that light installed before the bypass is completed,” said Christine Register.

This construction is part of the Governor’s Road Improvement Program (GRIP), which aims to connect cities with populations of 2,500 or higher to the Interstate Highway System.