WATONGA – The stoplight at the intersection of Clarence Nash and Russworm, one of the busiest in northwest Oklahoma, will revert to a flashing red light this June during the wheat harvest.
The Watonga city council made that decision last Tuesday after representatives from Wheeler Brothers Grain Company requested the change. Wheeler Brothers co-CEO Todd Lafferty told the council that he believes the intersection will be safer that way during harvest.
“We think that, if it’s turned into a four-way stop, if there is an accident it will be at a very low speed because traffic comes to a complete stop,” Lafferty said. “If it stays a lighted intersection, we think the chances for a more serious accident are greater. Every now and then, somebody comes through trying to beat a yellow light. Farmers are crossing Highway 33 and they’re having to judge – is this vehicle going to stop? Is it going 10 mph across the intersection, or is it going to be going 40 mph across the intersection?
“So, we just feel it’s safer for the community, for our customers, to turn it into a four-way stop during harvest.”
A flashing light would also improve the flow of heavy trucks through the intersection, Lafferty said.
The decision proved difficult for the council, though, because Watonga only recently transitioned the stoplight from a four-way stop to a normal green-and-red light. Councilmembers worried that changing it again, even temporarily, could prove confusing and potentially dangerous.
“My concern would be public safety at that time,” Mayor Bill Seitter said. “People get used to it. We were four-way flashing, then we go this way, then we go back, and then go back the other way. So, my concern would be public safety once we move back.”
They noted that many people ran the light when it first changed from flashing; thankfully, no accidents were reported.
The change to a solid light was encouraged by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, which told the city and Wheeler Brothers it would prefer the light not change during harvest.
Still, the decision is ultimately up to the city council, the agency said.
Lafferty said Wheeler Brothers has been a steadfast partner for the city and would appreciate the gesture in return. Despite reservations, the council agreed to change the light provided that the city and company use multiple methods to alert the public about the change.
The light will start flashing at the beginning of harvest and keep flashing until harvest slows down, which could take as little as two weeks or as long as the whole month. Wheeler Brothers will give the city 48 hours’ notice to start and end the flashing light.
In a public notice announcing the change, the City of Watonga said “frequent reminders will be made to the public to maintain driver safety during this time.”
“We appreciate your cooperation and diligence in keeping the public safe and accident free,” the city said.
Lafferty said harvest is expected to be significantly smaller this year than last. A persistent drought and lack of rainfall at crucial moments blunted the region’s wheat crop, but high prices are encouraging many farmers to salvage what they can.