Decatur has begun installation of the long-anticipated split-phase traffic signal that’ll control the three approaches on South Columbia Drive, Talley Street and Shadowmoor Drive just west of the new Talley Street Upper Elementary School. The signal replaces the four stop signs that currently govern that intersection.
It’s expected to take two to three months to complete the project.
The signals are part of a significant redevelopment on this South Columbia corridor. A 10-foot wide multi-use path from the school to South Columbia has already been completed. Eventually it will get extended from the Columbia/Talley corner, running east along Columbia and tying into the Katie Kerr Drive PATH.
There will also be dedicated left-hand turn lanes on the north and south side of Columbia turning onto Talley and Shadowmoor respectively. Also the portion of Columbia from Talley to Derrydown Way will get narrowed from two 14-foot wide lanes to two 11½ -feet wide lanes.
Building completely new signals within city limits is rare.
“We’ve looked at a number of intersections in the past,” said Assistant City Manager David Junger. “But the volume hasn’t justified new traffic signals at any existing intersection. The new school and the [nearby Decatur East development] will definitely increase the volume at that intersection.
Decatur East, which opened earlier this year less than a half mile from the school, has 464 apartments, while Talley Street opened with 756 students.
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