Decatur held its final open house/workshop on redesigning the unwieldy intersection from Atlanta Avenue/College Avenue to Howard Avenue that traverses railroad tracks. For now it appears the city, its consultants and public opinion is shaded towards extending Adair Street.
Among three concepts that are finalists, the clear cut favorite is extending Adair from West Howard south across the tracks to College. The new location is about 250 feet west of the current intersection, which forks into a curly X both north and south of the tracks
The “Adair to College T” ranked highest in public opinion at 3.2 (on a 1-5 scale) and 4.0 among stakeholders like city staff, fire, police, CSX and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The primary advantage is direct access to Adair and a shorter, more efficient bike/pedestrian route for schoolchildren north of the tracks to Oakhurst Elementary and the Fifth Avenue upper elementary. The primary drawback is that Adair could become a much busier cut through.
The other two finalists: 1) Extending Olympic Place north to Howard, just slightly west of the current intersection; 2) An “H” intersection connecting Howard to College about 75 feet east of the current intersection. All three scenarios allow for the existing crossing to remain open during construction of the new crossing.
No concept is yet set in stone, but Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon anticipates recommending a final concept design to city commissioners next month. Once that’s approved, a formal design should get completed towards the end of this year, with construction likely beginning next year.
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