Oakwood traffic study would address problematic intersections across the city

The City of Oakwood is looking at a potential traffic study that would help assess and address problematic intersections throughout the city.
 
A subcommittee of the Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization approved a resolution at their meeting Wednesday morning that, if given the green light by the Policy Committee, would request $40,000 in Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) money to fund the project. The city would have to provide a 20% funding match, which Oakwood officials have already guaranteed.
 
Oakwood City Manager Stan Brown said after the meeting that the study would offer potential improvements to a number of city intersections, some of which are operated by the state.
 
"Really, we want to come up with some concept plans and preliminary budgets, so that we can then look at what the total scope is going to be, what the cost is going to be," Brown said. "So then we can come up with some prioritization and look at how we fund projects and get them done."
 
Officials have identified roughly 20 locations across the city that would benefit from analysis.
 
Brown said one of those areas was Mundy Mill Road, a state route that provides the main entrance to the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville campus.
 
"We're in constant working relations with UNG and GDOT, trying to make improvements," Brown said. "But we've got a few thoughts that might help with the safety and operation [of the roadway]."
 
The city's industrial area could also benefit from a future study, Brown said.
 
"With the growth that we're seeing with some of the truck operations and warehouse distribution, we may need some additional turn lanes down in the H.F. Reed and McEver Road area," he explained.
 
Brown continued: "So that, as well as our Oakwood 2030 Downtown Plan, we're looking at trying to do a roundabout at the post office location [Main Street at Old Oakwood Road], so that's another one we'd like to get a concept and a cost estimate on."
 
Oakwood last conducted a similar traffic study in 2008. Brown said the request for funding was made at a time when city officials have several other traffic improvement projects in the works.
 
"We know that there are several projects that are on our list that are in some level of progression right now," he explained. "Some of them with Hall County on McEver Road; also a bridge and signal that will go in at Old Oakwood Road and Tumbling Creek Road."
 
The GHMPO's Policy Committee is expected to review the request at a later date, with "a recommendation for approval" already issued by the Technical Coordinating Committee this week.