New Chick-fil-A across from existing Jackson location sparks traffic concerns
JACKSON, Tenn. — Residents are raising concerns about traffic congestion as a new Chick-fil-A is being built across the street from an existing location on Vann Drive.
Traffic is already being backed up on Vann Drive, where the new Chick-fil-A is being built right across the street from the old Chick-fil-A.
Overcrowding concerns
“Chick-fil-A’s already overcrowded as it is over here. I mean, it’s a lot more crowded than it was in Chili’s. So, I mean, adding another Chick-fil-A like that, without any lanes, you know, it’s gonna be a lot of problem getting in and out,” Jackson resident LaDawn O’Neal said.
O’Neal said the intersection may improve but expects more congestion from customers coming from Walmart and lining up for Chick-fil-A.
“I think the intersection, it may get better, but I really feel like it’s gonna be more crowded with people coming out of Walmart, and then they’re gonna be coming out of a lot for Chick-fil-A or lining up to get into a Chick-fil-A. And so I think it’ll be good. I think it’ll be hectic, but I feel like it’ll be okay. Everybody kind of knows how Chick-fil-A is, ’cause they got good chicken, so,” O’Neal said.
Chick-fil-A does have good chicken, but the question remains how people will be able to get to it if the intersection is always congested.
Traffic impact concerns
“I think it’ll be nice to have more parking over there, and a bigger restaurant, so it’s not crowded all the time, but I do feel like it’s gonna impact all that traffic over there. I feel like the right lane is gonna get very clogged up like, all the time,” Jackson resident Ben Patrick said.
Patrick said the intersection has been problematic since it was built.
“Ever since they built it, I’ve lived here in Jackson, on and off all my life. And soon as they built this intersection, it’s just not enough room for the cars that we have and the vehicles,” Patrick said. “And the lights, they don’t interact quick enough, so it lines up, and then you’re just backed up, people get caught in the middle of the red lights when they’re trying to get by.”
Patrick said the traffic on Vann Drive is terrible and he does not know the answer. Attempts to reach Mayor Scott Conger for comment were unsuccessful.
There have been discussions about adjusting traffic lights or lane patterns once the new restaurant opens. City officials have not responded to requests for information about specific plans.
For more news in the Jackson area, click here.
