NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Wednesday, a Metro Councilmember said enough is enough after another crash on Elm Hill Pike in Donelson.
He called out the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) telling News 2 this isn't the first time he's asked for safety improvements in the area.
In the eyes of those who live near Elm Hill Pike, it happens far too often — crash after crash. It's become such a problem that Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford called out NDOT, saying Elm Hill Pike is a "problem spot" he's told them about "multiple times" during his tenure.
In the social media post, Bradford continued by stating he reached out to NDOT requesting "action to be taken."
"I hate to say it — I'm not surprised," Bradford told News 2. "The last time I was able to get NDOT to make minor changes to this road was after weeks of going to the media and basically saying, 'How many more people have to die or get hurt? Give me a number so that I can tell my constituents.'"
Data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) showed that there have been more than 23,000 crashes on the city's streets so far this year. A closer look at Elm Hill Pike revealed numerous injury crashes. Just last week, MNPD traffic officer Cory West was struck by a vehicle while at the intersection of Elm Hill Pike and McCrory Creek Road.
"I've made NDOT aware of the issues on this stretch, especially with the lack of any turn lanes and the lack of any kind of signage," Bradford said.
Last year, Bradford took his concerns to NDOT and held a town hall. At the time, the department explained the road had seen repeated crashes. However, Bradford said he's still looking for meaningful change.
"We have to have a better-designed roadway that allows for people to safely come and go in and out of these neighborhoods," Bradford said.
News 2 reached out to NDOT to ask what changes, if any, the department has planned for the road. As of publication, News 2 has not received a response. However, Bradford said he was told the department is aware of the crash that happened Wednesday morning and they plan on working with the MNPD to educate area drivers.
