One of the most congested corridors in Gainesville is Dawsonville Highway (SR 53), and next week the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) begins works on what it calls a 'quick response project' at the turn to Green Hill Circle.
The intersection leads to the Regal Hollywood 15 movie theater as well as a number of restaurants and retail stores and the turn lane is often backed up, slowing traffic trying to enter Dawsonville Highway from Shallowford Road.
GDOT spokeswoman Katie Strickland said crews will be extending the turn lane, adding 170 feet of storage. She said the work will be done during times of lower traffic volume.
"It's important to know that these guys are going to be working in the lanes in close proximity to traffic," Strickland said. "They're going to have on their reflective vests, and they're going to begin work in the evenings after 7, so it's not going to be quite dark when they start working, but they will be working overnight until 6 the following morning, so we really need drivers to anticipate this work."
Strickland said there will be single lane closures both north and southbound between Shallowford and Green Hill Circle while the work is being done.
The project, originally scheduled to complete in late March, is now scheduled to be finished by May 3, 2017 weather-permitting.
Souder’s Asphalt of Pendergrass was awarded the quick response project in January 2017. Quick response projects are operational improvement projects, safety or maintenance, and cannot exceed $199,999.99 in total cost.
