The Power of a Community That Refused to Settle for a Dangerous Turn

Image Courtesy of the City of Mableton

If you’ve lived in Mableton for any length of time, you’ve likely felt that "Buckner Road Anxiety." For years, the intersection of Buckner Road and Veterans Memorial Highway was a place many neighbors simply avoided.

Local resident Lisa Lyons, who has lived here since 2013, describes a ritual familiar to many: "Oftentimes instead of trying to maneuver through here, I would just drive through Publix and get to that stoplight. My safety was much more important than trying to make a left-hand turn. It was a harrowing experience."

For Mayor Michael Owens, the significance of this intersection is rooted in his own memories of the area. "I've seen crashes here. I've had to swerve out of the way of accidents. I've literally sat at McDonald's having breakfast and watched accidents occur," the Mayor shared during the ceremony.

On Wednesday, March 4, that anxiety finally began to lift. In a ceremony filled with community leaders and long-time residents, the switch was officially flipped on the new traffic signal at Buckner and Veterans. But this ribbon-cutting was about more than just a piece of hardware; it was a celebration of nearly two decades of community persistence.

Years in the Making

Why did it take so long for a simple stoplight?

The answer lies in the complexity of our geography. Because Veterans Memorial is a state highway, every change requires a "unified commitment" between the city, the county, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield, who has been a vocal champion for the project, revealed that the process was far from easy. Early on, state officials weren't convinced there was a problem. At one point, a "traffic circle" was proposed—a solution that Sheffield and her staff pushed back on immediately.

"That made absolutely no sense to me," Sheffield noted. "We had to go back to the drawing board, and two years later, we’re finally here. It took community involvement with the Mableton Improvement Coalition, the county, and Cobb DOT to push and make sure we received the light."

A Masterclass in Community Advocacy

Image courtesy of City of Mableton

The true "through-line" of this story is the power of the Mableton resident. Robin Meyer of the Mableton Improvement Coalition (MIC) pointed out that this light would not exist if the community hadn't kept the issue on the "front burner" for twenty years.

Councilwoman Cassandra Brown, a 23-year resident who lives right off Buckner Road, echoed this sentiment. She highlighted that as our area became more populated, the need for a solution became undeniable.

"If I could leave everyone with anything," Councilwoman Brown said, "it would be this: if you see something that you believe needs to be changed, continue to advocate for yourself. Reach out to your elected officials, but also use the other tools that are available to you, such as petitions or social media, because we are listening."

The Work Does Not Stop

While we celebrate this victory for safe streets, city leaders are already looking at what comes next. The goal is to ensure Mableton continues to develop in a manner that is both prosperous and safe. For the residents and commuters in this busy area, Wednesday marked a significant step forward in that journey.

Did the new Buckner Road light change your daily commute? We want to hear your "victory" stories or your thoughts on where Mableton needs the next safety improvement.

Leave your thoughts in the comments.