Alpharetta officials discussed a change to North and South Broad Streets during a City Council meeting Monday. Both roads could be changed from two-way to one-way traffic.
The changes are being considered to address traffic jams that occur during weekday lunch hours. This peak time for busy restaurants is also when trucks drivers unload deliveries to local businesses and shops.
“It’s creating a lot of issues with respect to traffic flow through City Center and it’s having an impact,” said James Drinkard, assistant city administrator. “It’s chasing people away.”
The two streets near the downtown Alpharetta’s Town Green are parallel, with Main Street and Market Street at either end.
North and South Broad Streets would have raised curbs at corners to prevent wrong-way traffic.
Nearby business owners and City Center property manager Ashley Majors have worked with Drinkard and Pete Sewczwicz, director of Public Works, on a solution to the traffic problems.
The change will also include designated loading zones to be utilized between 7 and 10:30 a.m. for deliveries and pickups.
Additional parking is also planned closer to Town Green, said Drinkard, to address community complaints about a lack of available parking near restaurants.
“I believe these one-way streets are going to enhance pedestrian safety too,” said Mayor Jim Gilvin. “You are accustomed to looking one direction, not realizing it is a two-way street. I think I’ve seen some close calls. I think this will really help out.”
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