I’ve seen a lot of changes in and around Covington.  One of the ones that boggles my mind the most is the intersection at 216th and Kent-Kangley road right in front of the Pla-Mor Tavern.

I don’t know if there is a valid reason for this or not, but it still boggles my mind.  What is it?  Not making the main entrance to Cherokee Bay at the same intersection as 216th and Kent-Kangley where a stoplight with turn lanes now exist.

For years, there was no light there.  In fact, there were two entrances to Cherokee Bay.  The current “main entrance” and the blocked off entrance at the above-mentioned intersection.  The year they put in the signals I was ecstatic.  Finally!  A light, one entrance to Cherokee Bay, far less accidents from turning without a signal and one intersection for all roads. 

As construction progressed, my bewilderment increased.  Only three sets of lights?  Blocking off the road into Cherokee Bay?  No lights on that side of the street?  Improving the entrance to Cherokee Bay down the road from the new signals but still forcing vehicles to turn into the development without a signal?  Causing more congestion with a signal and separate entrance?  Increasing the odds of accidents or fatalities?  I didn’t understand.  I still don’t.

Why the main entrance to Cherokee Bay was not part of the changes that were made to Kent-Kangley and 216th baffles me.  Why didn’t the city or state mandate that it become the main entrance thus diminishing congestion, increasing life expectancy of drivers and passengers and creating a smooth intersection instead of creating more congestion?  Why didn’t Cherokee Bay step up to the plate and willingly work with these improvements for the sake of everyone, not just their development? 

Perhaps there was a good reason.  Perhaps I don’t have all the facts.  Suffice it to say that from all logical angles and from all perspectives of saving lives this intersection should have been designed as the only one for all roads involved instead of creating a potential deathtrap for anyone entering or exiting Cherokee Bay. 

Perhaps this will be corrected in the future?  I can only hope so for my family’s sake and for all others who use this road and the entrance to Cherokee Bay.