Opp merchants are taking a “wait and see” attitude before forming opinions about the new four-way stop that will be installed at the intersection of Covington Avenue and Main Street.

The Opp Council passed an ordinance Monday night that would remove the current traffic signals at the intersection and replace them with a four-way stop.

Opp Mayor H.D. Edgar said a traffic study contracted through CDG Engineers in Andalusia said there was not enough traffic for signals and that a four-way stop would be appropriate.

Neal Presley, owner of Larry’s Prescriptions, made an appearance at Monday’s meeting and said he had several customers who have expressed concerns about safety issues relating to the new form of traffic stops.

“I’m not against it,” he said. “The in between (work) is a little inconvenient for our customers.

“A lot of people are concerned about how it will work out, but if (the city) looked at it and thinks it will work out, then we’ll see,” he said.

Henry Horsby, owner of Covington Jewelers, said the intersection has typically been a dangerous intersection, where there have been periods of many accidents and then other periods of no accidents.

“I’m not necessarily opposed to it,” he said. “We’ll have to see if it’s going to help or hurt things. I think it may be a matter of what people get used to it, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Hornsby said the four-way stop that was put in at Perry Store Road and Maloy has certainly helped at that intersection.

One merchant, who wished to remain anonymous, said she actually thinks it might turn out to be a good move, but said she’d have to wait and see.

“It would certainly slow people down,” she said. “People come barreling down these streets. At least now they’ll have to stop.”

The merchant was also concerned about accidents at the intersection, but said that hopefully the four-way stop will help out like it did at Perry Store Road and Maloy.

Steve Reynolds, owner of Steve’s Appliance Service, didn’t have a preference and said he had “bigger fish to fry.”

Edgar said at Monday’s meeting the stop signs would go up before the traffic signals are taken down to help motorists get used to the new four-way stop.