Two new stop signs placed on County Road 500 and County Road 503 in Verbena will hopefully improve traffic issues in the area.

While the stop signs have been an abrupt change for individuals familiar with historic Verbena, many in the area are happy to have them.

“It is wonderful,” said Kathy Plier. “It probably isn’t a perfect situation, because the perfect situation would have been to remove the curve near Verbena Methodist Church, but I think this will slow people down, and prevent a lot of dangerous situations that could have happened.”

The Chilton County Road Department placed the two stop signs in the area after a group of residents voiced their concerns to members of the Chilton County Commission regarding speeding and crashes in the area.

Plier spoke during a June 8 commission meeting on behalf of the board of trustees from Verbena United Methodist Church, which is located off County Road 59.

Plier told commissioners a vehicle that was estimated to be driving 70 miles per hour ran a member of the church off the road into a ditch.

There was also a car that missed the curve and ended up in the church parking lot, Plier said.

Plier provided several suggestions to commissioners regarding ways the road could be improved including a stronger sheriff’s presence in Verbena, a three-way stop sign at County Road 59 and County Road 510, where individuals often turn to go to Verbena High School, a caution light, or better signage for the speed limit in the area.

During the meeting, commissioners told the group that county engineer Tony Wearren would look into the issue.

Wearren said he traveled out to the area with Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon the day after the commission meeting to see what could be done to fix the problem.

“Due to the road being resurfaced, you had a lot of people speeding in that area,” Wearren said. “A smoother road makes people want to drive faster.”

Wearren first approached Chilton County Schools Superintendent Tommy Glasscock, Commission Chairman Allen Caton, Plier and Shearon, before placing the stop signs in the area.

Wearren said he originally considered putting stop signs where people turn to go to the school, but he feared that motorists traveling at fast speeds around the curve would not see those sitting at a stop sign, potentially increasing the amount of crashes.

“We put the stop signs in areas where it is a flat surface, and there is a good bit of sight distance, so they don’t surprise you,” Wearren said. “You can see them coming.”

Plier said she is extremely thankful the issue was resolved.

“Our group is very happy with the signs,” Plier said. “I know some people have not liked them because it is a new change, but the road had become quite dangerous and we were very thankful that our concerns were heard, and something was done about it.”