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Safety, costs concern Old Atlanta residents in Forsyth
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| | | BOB PEPALIS/Staff
Steve Neblett of Laurel Springs subdivision writes down comments about the Old Atlanta Road widening project. He said residents want a road that allows safe entrances and exits from the subdivisions, and a careful watch on controlling noise levels. Bob Pepalis. (click for larger version) | |
November 16, 2009
Forsyth County Local residents put safety as a prime concern on the design to widen Old Atlanta Road between Sharon and McGinnis Ferry roads. The 75 residents who live in subdivisions along that stretch of road who attended an informational open house Nov. 12 at Sharon Road Elementary School held by the county's Engineering Department didn't necessarily agree on the need to make this entire stretch of road four-lanes wide with a 20-foot raised median, but they did agree on safety.
Another question raised was why spend so much money on a road project when the county is cutting its budget and laying off staff.
Voters gave the project a green light when they voted to approve SPLOST VI in 2008, as this was one of the listed projects.
Funding will be a problem as long as sales tax revenues continue to decline, something they've done almost every month this year.
Engineers from Gresham, Smith & Partners created a concept for the road widening to give local residents and county commissioners an idea of what the road will look like. For the most part, the concept was entirely within existing right of way.
Vern Zachgo of Laurel Springs said the important thing is to move the traffic. He said having safeguards to control the speed is also important.
Having enough traffic lights can help with that, and would help motorists being able to leave their subdivisions. Zachgo would have the county consider having police at schools during the rush hours to control the traffic.
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Zachgo was one of many residents who expected a drive for more commercial buildings once Old Atlanta Road becomes four-lanes wide. And he also expects a push to allow truck traffic on not only a wider Old Atlanta, but also Mathis Airport Road which already has been widened, and other nearby roads. That's not something any of the residents wanted to see happen.
"We don't want truck traffic, big 18-wheelers blowing through here creating even more concerns," Zachgo said.
Residents can still present their concerns to the county, as long as they are received by Dec. 12.
"There's just so many things that need to be considered before any of the final plans are laid to rest," Zachgo said. "I think this is great, letting residents get out and looking at plans."
What he didn't think was great was how few residents came to the open house compared to the number of homeowners affected by the proposed project. He suggested his fellow Forsyth citizens voice their concerns in an educated manner.
As recently as the road improvements for Lambert High, county staff and officials have listened to local residents, Zachgo said. Some of his neighbors chimed in that members of Smart Growth convinced the county the turn lane queue for the new school was too short. The turn lane was constructed with more capacity.
 View images. Road Project
Forsyth County's Department of Engineering plans a two-phase project to widen 4.9 miles of Old Atlanta Road between Sharon and McGinnis Ferry roads. The project is intended to reduce traffic congestion and cut the severity and frequency of wrecks along the route by improving sight distance and realigning sharp curves.
Phase 1
Widen Old Atlanta between Nichols and James Burgess roads
Upgrade intersections with both left and right turn lanes, plus upgraded traffic signals
Phase 2
Widen Old Atlanta from Sharon Road to Nichols Road
Widen Old Atlanta from James Burgess Road to McGinnis Ferry Road.
The project would create a four-lane road with 20-foot raised median to accommodate a 45 mph speed limit. It would include 5-foot sidewalks along the entire 4.9-mile project.
Urban Collector
Old Atlanta Road is considered an urban collector based on traffic volumes. Traffic projects call for volumes to at least double along the length of the project:
Average Daily Volume 2012 2034
Sharon Road to Laurel Springs Pkwy 19,000 34,400
Laurel Springs Pkwy to McGinnis Ferry 13,200 26,000
Tags: Cumming, Forsyth County
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