Sheridan officials have taken a decisive step to improve road safety in the city’s East Downtown area. After months of monitoring a temporary four‑way stop, the Sheridan City Council voted to make the stop permanent at the intersection of East Brundage and Scott Streets.
Why the change was needed
The intersection was flagged in the city’s Transportation Master Plan as a high‑risk location. Crash data and traffic‑heat maps showed a pattern of collisions that threatened drivers, pedestrians, and nearby businesses. Councilmember Terry Weitzel and Public Works Director Hanns Mercer highlighted the community’s growing concerns during a recent episode of Sheridan Media’s Pulse program.
From temporary to permanent
During a pilot project, the city installed a temporary four‑way stop to gauge traffic flow and gather public feedback. Residents responded positively, noting smoother traffic and fewer near‑misses. “We received a lot of positive feedback for that,” Mercer said on the show. The temporary stop also gave engineers a chance to study driver behavior and confirm that a permanent stop would be the most effective solution.
City Engineer Thomas Morneau presented the findings to the council, emphasizing that the data supported a permanent installation. Council approved the measure unanimously, citing the need to protect lives and maintain the vitality of the East Downtown corridor.
Implementation details
Orange flags have been placed at the intersection to alert drivers to the new traffic pattern while signage is installed. City staff reminded motorists to exercise extra caution during the transition period, noting that any change in traffic patterns requires a brief adjustment period.
“Anytime you change traffic patterns, it’s really hard to teach the public, ‘be extra careful in this area,’ because we don’t want to increase crashes. We want to decrease them,” Weitzel explained. The city’s public‑works crew is working quickly to replace the flags with permanent stop signs and pavement markings.
Community impact
Local business owners and residents have welcomed the move, saying the permanent stop will make the area safer for shoppers, commuters, and school‑age children walking to nearby facilities. The city plans to continue monitoring the intersection’s performance and will share updates at future council meetings.
By addressing a known safety concern with data‑driven action, Sheridan demonstrates its commitment to protecting families and upholding the community’s values of responsible stewardship and personal responsibility.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
