SR 125 at SR 122 intersection to become a four-way stop
VALDOSTA - Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crews are scheduled July 15 to begin converting the intersection of State Route (SR) 125 and SR 122 to a four-way stop. Installation of additional signs, flashing beacons and rumble strips isn't expected to take more than two days.
The intersection, frequently referred to as Walker's Crossing, is on the border of Berrien, Lanier and Lowndes counties. GDOT had proposed converting the intersection to a single lane roundabout to reduce the number and severity of crashes and improve operational performance. However, that proposal was withdrawn based on public feedback GDOT received. The four-way stop will help address crash issues, costs less and can be installed quicker than a roundabout, which was estimated to take two years to build.
At the time the roundabout proposal was presented to the public in February 2022, the cost estimate total was $4,780,588.10. That included preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition, utilities relocation and construction. Converting the intersection to a four-way stop is estimated to cost $17,220.20 for the addition of signs with solar panels, flashing beacons and rumble strips. That doesn't include GDOT labor costs.
Currently SR 125 traffic does not stop, but SR 122 traffic does. After the conversion, drivers on all approaches will see advance warning of a stop sign ahead. Those signs will have flashing yellow beacons and the sign posts will be wrapped in yellow reflective tape. Rumble strips will also be installed on all approaches to the intersection to alert drivers that they need to slow down and prepare to stop. The stop signs with have flashing red beacons, and an "all way" warning sign. The sign posts will be wrapped in reflective red tape. All signs will be installed on both shoulders of the state routes.
Sixty crashes were reported at the intersection between Jan. 8, 2020 and June 21, 2024, according to the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS). That number includes a handful of drivers who hit deer or ran into a ditch. A little more than half of the crashes were angle crashes and half were attributed to drivers failing to yield. The crashes resulted in 56 injuries and one fatality.
Message boards went up Monday to alert drivers of the upcoming change. Motorists are reminded of the importance of obeying stop signs and properly yielding. The driver who reaches the intersection first goes first. If two, or more, cars approach at the same time, the driver on the left should yield to the driver on the right.
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