Catoosa's traffic congestion problem

Some folks call the area at 193rd East Avenue and I44, dysfunction junction. Now, there's a new level of aggravation with traffic in that area. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says it's

Thursday, April 7th 2005, 1:45 pm

By: News On 6

Some folks call the area at 193rd East Avenue and I44, dysfunction junction. Now, there's a new level of aggravation with traffic in that area.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says it's not unusual for traffic to be backed up around 193rd East Avenue and Admiral, but now Catoosa Police have started handing out $77 tickets to people who block the intersections.

Trucks from the Port of Catoosa and cars from the Cherokee Casino meet interstate traffic in a two lane intersection that just can't handle the load. The lights back up traffic - and up on Admiral drivers frequently try to make it through the intersection but get stuck because traffic stops.

Several people got tickets Thursday morning and think it's not fair to blame them for the backup. The mayor says the city has to do something.

Ticketed driver Jeanie Smith: "I just don't think it's fair, I had a green light, I was wearing my seatbelt, and I got a ticket."

Catoosa Mayor Curtis Conley: "They pull out in the intersection, they stop and then nobody can move." The tickets are $77.

The mayor says it's an educational effort so drivers won't start through the intersection, unless they're sure they can make it safely.