Why We Really Need a Traffic Light at the Intersection of Frederica and Legion in Owensboro

It's hard to know just how many vehicles pass by and through this intersection on a daily basis. But, considering that Frederica Street is undoubtedly one of Owensboro's busiest streets, that number is formidable.  And that intersection is flanked on all sides by incredibly busy Owensboro properties. If you're standing on Legion Boulevard looking at Frederica Street, this is what you're surrounded by.

To your left is Hardee's. If you've ever driven by Hardee's during the breakfast hours, you know how packed that parking lot and drive-thru can get.

Across the street, you have Kentucky Wesleyan College and the main entrance to that campus is just a quick trip south on Frederica.

To your right is Dunkin' Donuts, which has become increasingly busy and routinely, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings, has a line for the drive-thru that reaches back to the intersection directly in front of PNC Bank. That PNC Bank location, by the way, is about to get much busier than it already is.  Here's why.

See, PNC recently announced that its consolidating its two Owensboro locations into one. In July, the branch at Parrish Avenue is set to close and all that bank business is going to be routed to the Frederica Street location.  That location, when you think in terms of accessibility, is MUCH smaller than the Parrish Avenue branch.  There are fewer parking spaces and the drive-thru access is way more restricted than it is at Parrish and Carter.

I know this because I am a PNC customer.  I vividly remember traffic at the bank when COVID-19 forced a temporary consolidation back in 2020. At that time, it was the Frederica Street location that was shuddered and all the traffic was routed to Parrish. Friday afternoons at that drive thru were INSANE! Traffic literally backed out onto Carter Road. I personally fear that when the bank at Parrish closes for good, we're going to see that same kind of snarled traffic on Legion and ultimately Frederica Street.

Something's going to have to give.  It can already be an American Ninja Warrior-like obstacle trying to turn left onto Frederica Street to drive south. It can turn into a game of Frogger if you turn right onto Frederica, then try to merge so you can take an immediate left onto Scherm Road. Yes, there's a light at that intersection, but good luck navigating into the turn lane if traffic is barreling past PNC and Dunkin'.

And, trust me. We're just weeks away from that intersection getting a lot busier. So, what do you think? Do you think we need a traffic light at the intersection of Frederica and Legion?