MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – After several crashes in just weeks, the planters on the Highland Strip’s turn lane will be gone for good.
Highland Strip project planners made that call Thursday afternoon, after the latest driver plowed into and knocked over planters Wednesday night, causing yet another cleanup.
That planner told Local 24 News the planters being hit over and over again in the past month proves the Highland strip is in desperate need of alternative traffic calming improvements in the months ahead.
Our camera rolled as a landscaping crew rolled out the planters for the final time.
Clint Byrum saw and heard the impact.
“Looked out the window, car coming down the road, driver not paying attention, hit ‘em, and they kind of went everywhere,” Byrum said.
Workers swept away dirt and debris after the latest car-planter collision, one of several since their installation on a busy stretch of Highland Avenue a few weeks ago. Project designers said aggressive and distracted driving is to blame.
“People definitely need to pay more attention just in general,” Byrum said.
Those who work on or near the Highland Strip expressed a mixed opinion now that the planters aren’t coming back.
“Every week I see an accident, or remnants of an accident, tipped over barrels, so yeah, I am not a fan of these,” Andrew Insch said.
“I think it’s something to show that we need to improve the streetscape here, which they are trying to do,” Troy Parks said.
Highland Strip project planners are working on plans for concrete medians, similar to the ones nearby at the University of Memphis.
It’s estimated 30,000 drivers go down the stretch of Highland each day.
