The Georgia Department of Transportation announced Friday upcoming road closures and detours related to the construction projects in the Downtown Connector corridor that includes resurfacing I-75/85 in summer 2008 and replacement of the 14th Street Bridge to be completed in spring 2010.
The following closures will affect motorists traveling into Midtown Atlanta from I-85 southbound and I-75 southbound:
I-85 southbound ramp to 14th and 10th streets will close on February 9th. - Motorists should exit I-85 at 17th Street (Exit 84) and utilize the 17th Street bridge to Spring Street to access Midtown and locations west of I-75/85.
I-75 southbound ramp to 14th and 10th streets from Exit 250 will close on February 9th. - Motorists should exit I-75 at Northside Drive (Exit 252) and turn left onto 10th Street to access Midtown.
Techwood Drive between 16th and 10th streets will close on February 9th. These closures are a necessary part of the ongoing project to replace 14th Street Bridge over the downtown connector relieving congestion at the 14th Street interchange.
The bridge replacement project also feature two new exit ramps from the interstate; southbound to 10th Street and northbound to 17th Street.
The estimated cost of the project is $88.5 million. Motorists should be aware that this closure is only one of several traffic adjustments and street closings required to complete the construction work. This work is expected to significantly impact traffic congestion in Midtown. In summer 2008, 14th Street Bridge and its adjacent roadway will be closed to traffic. Motorists will be detoured to the 17th Street Bridge once the 14th Street Bridge closes. 14th Street and the 14th Street Bridge are expected to reopen by summer 2010.
Traffic on the Downtown Connector will be paced and lanes shifted to accommodate utility and other associated work throughout the course of the project.
Williams Street, which closed to traffic in October 2007 will remain closed through summer 2009. Additionally in March 2008 Georgia DOT will begin resurfacing approximately five miles of the Downtown Connector between University Avenue and 10th Street. The project includes resurfacing northbound and southbound lanes and is expected to be completed by November 2008.
During construction, lane closures will be in place overnights Monday through Thursday with continuous closures on weekends starting Friday night and concluding Monday morning. Traffic delays throughout downtown, especially in Midtown are to be expected. Commuters should seriously consider mass transit, car or van pooling, and flexible work schedules. Motorists should allow additional travel time and/or choose alternate routes during these construction projects.
For information on commuting alternatives, contact The Clean Air Campaign at www.cleanaircampaign.com.
Labels: Atlanta, Construction, DOT, Techwood
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 3:46 PM
For those who pass through the Old Alabama Road and Medlock Bridge Road intersection, prepare to dodge a few orange cones and barrels.
In an effort to ease some of the traffic congestion, the Ga. Department of Transportation (GDOT) will make improvements at the heavily-traveled intersection.
The construction, which began Dec. 10, will include various lane closures starting after 9 a.m. daily and ending at 3:30 p.m. to accommodate the paving process. The project, which will cost $106,389, is expected to be completed by Dec. 17.
GDOT crews started grading portions of the intersection in November to add another left turn lane from Old Alabama to Medlock Bridge.
Bryant Poole, district 7 engineer, said drivers should expect delays but also realize the project is a temporary fix in an attempt to provide some relief at the intersection.
"We realize this is not fixing the overall issue of the congested area as a whole, but we are trying to assist at this intersection until we can do further intersection upgrades in other areas, which will be happening soon," said Poole.
GDOT received numerous requests to make safety enhancements to the turning movements at the intersection. GDOT worked with Johns Creek city staff and its residents to coordinate safety enhancements.
In addition to the dual left turn lane, the project includes construction of a concrete pedestrian island on Old Alabama Road.
Katina Lear, communications specialist for GDOT, said there were several concerns from the community about congestion in the area, prompting GDOT to take action.
"We just want the community to know that we hear what they're saying and that we wanted to go ahead and remedy the situation the best we could with the resources we have at the time," said Lear.
According to GDOT, the Old Alabama and Medlock Bridge intersection improvements are not to be confused with the larger proposed Old Alabama widening project, which is in the preliminary stages of design and development.
"I believe these improvements help, but I ask the public to be patient with us as we try to find other solutions, such as intersection improvements at Medlock Bridge Road and State Bridge Road, which [should] break ground early next year in the hopes of providing further traffic relief in this busy area," said Poole.
Labels: DOT, Johns Creek, Old Alabama
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 10:05 AM
