Committee balks at approving deceleration lane

More consideration will be given before a committee decides to award state money for a deceleration lane in front of the property designated for a Zaxby’s restaurant in Walhalla.  At this morning’s meeting, on behalf of the city, Tally Grant presented a request to commit $120 thousand for a lane to allow westbound highway 28 traffic to slow down and cross the four lane highway into the entrance for the planned restaurant.  But Grant’s fellow committee member, Dick Cottingham, balked at the idea and questioned whether the county “C” Fund committee had ever spent money for the benefit of a private restaurant.  Both Grant and committee chairman Sam Dickson said there is precedent of instances when the committee spent money to help other private employers, such as Borg Warner and Sandvik.  A DOT representative at the meeting said highway encroachment permits would be required, which means the district’s traffic office must be involved.  More discussion of the deceleration lane request is expected during the committee’s next regular meeting on November 17.