Morton's Crossing Road has maintained its blocked-off status for more than 10 years, but Johns Creek City Council heard a presentation July 14 about the possibility of re-opening the street and installing forms of traffic calming devices and even an electronic gate.
The road was used as a cut-through for Taylor Road Middle School and Chattahoochee High School traffic between Taylor Road and Morton Road.
Morton's Crossing Road residents voiced concerns for years about vehicles speeding and traffic volumes through the subdivision.
According to a Fulton County study, during one 24-hour period in 1997, 1, 452 cars were counted at the Morton Road end of Morton's Crossing with over 72 percent vehicles exceeding 31 mph, 101 vehicles exceeding 41 mph and 23 vehicles exceeding 61 mph.
A report by Fulton County Public Works determined that after a 60-day temporary closing in August 1997, traffic volumes were "significantly" reduced on Morton's Crossing Road.
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted in October 1997 to seal off the road with bollards – vertical posts - to prohibit cut-through access through the neighborhoods.
Ken Hildebrandt, Johns Creek Public Works director, said the two biggest issues now are public safety and traffic connectivity.
"In 1997, there was a tremendous amount of traffic, but traffic patterns have changed with new schools and additional development," said Hildebrandt. "Obviously, opening the road will create some traffic issues for that subdivision. We would need to have traffic calming devices."
Hildebrandt said one option is to re-open the road and install speed cushions that are cut to allow emergency vehicles to pass through without any problems. According to the city, it would take an hour to an hour and a half to remove bollards.
Hildebrandt added that city staff recommended 13 speed cushions on Morton's Crossing, Morton's Circle and Plantation Drive that would cost around $2,000-$3,000 per cushion. The removal of the bollards is estimated to cost around $41,000.
"What we're looking at is the public safety aspects and trying to come up with public safety fail-safe point for emergency ingress and egress," said John Kachmar, Johns Creek city manager.
Another option, he said, would be to install an electronic gate that essentially blocks the road from cut-through traffic, but would quickly allow emergency vehicle access and an emergency access for the schools.
Kachmar said the cost of an electronic gate could be under the $41,000 estimate of removing bollards and would also include the cost of reworking the roadway.
"Eventually we will need to look at providing sidewalks for the neighborhood, because even if the gate is left in place, everyone in that neighborhood has to walk to school," said Councilman Ivan Figueroa.
Kachmar estimated the sidewalks would cost about $125,000 – but the city hasn't budgeted for that.
Councilwoman Liz Hausmann said she would like City Council to start working on a process that deals with future road openings and closings.
"We should develop criteria for when we want to open or close a road," said Hausmann.
Kachmar said the city will discuss a neighborhood infrastructure process at City Council's July 28 meeting, where they will hear a presentation and budget on the options.
Labels: Georgia, Johns Creek, mortons crossing
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Brian Vanderhoff @ 10:29 AM
