Safety improvements to a number of local roads in Hall, Lumpkin and Elbert counties have been approved by the state Department of Transportation. In addition, Gwinnett County will be the site of the state's second continuous flow intersection, the first having been finished earlier this year on Georgia 400 in Dawson County.
“Fatalities on Georgia’s roads are up 33 percent in the last two years and over a third occur on local roads,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry said. “Reducing these fatalities requires a continued investment in safety enhancements. I am pleased that GDOT can assist local governments with funding for these critical projects through our Off-System Safety Program.”
The safety improvement projects in northeast Georgia include:
Hall County - Signing and pavement marking upgrades on sections of Hog Mountain and Ridge roads, Stephens, Chestatee, Union Church, Bryant Quarter, Ransom Free and East Hall roads.
Lumpkin - 4.88 miles of signing, pavement marking upgrades and shoulder rehabilitation on Old Dahlonega Highway and Camp Wahsega Road.
Elbert - Signing and pavement marking upgrades at 32 locations.
The continuous flow intersection in Gwinnett is planned on US 78/SR 10 at SR 124. The project will convert the existing signalized intersection to allow drivers to make left turns before the two roads cross. GDOT says relocating left turn movements from the center of the intersection to the side reduces the potential for angle type crashes and should provide congestion relief and reduce travel delay. In addition, construction costs are lower because there are no ramps or overpasses to build.
