Last Week: What could be done to improve Snellville’s traffic problems?
According to Georgia DOT’s most recent traffic count, 48,020 vehicles pass along State Route 124/Scenic Highway between Ronald Reagan Parkway and U.S. 78 in Snellville every 48 hours. The volume traveling Highway 78 peaks at 54,530 vehicles during the same 48-hour stretch. Other major thoroughfares — Pharrs Road, Oak Road and Web Gin House Road are also clogged with vehicles making commutes laborious.
Snellville city leaders acknowledge traffic congestion as one of the city’s priorities and are evaluating various solutions. As city leaders pointed out this week, their hands are tied to some degree by state and county jurisdictions.
We reported the city was considering a continuous flow intersection at U.S. 78 and Scenic Highway. In fact, the project has already been approved with construction anticipated to begin in 2017.
Here’s what readers had to say:
I have always thought a "bridge" on Highway 124 that goes over Highway 78, somewhat like the Peachtree Industrial bridge over Winters Chapel Road might work. Probably would be too expensive a solution, but just wanted to suggest it. — Nprescott
Cut a road into Highway 78 from Ronald Reagan Parkway somewhere in between Web Gin Road and Highway 124. — HSchap
There is a continuous flow intersection planned by GADOT for the 78/124 intersection. GADOT has started the right-of-way acquisition process. Additional information can be found at www.snellvilledda.com. — Eric G. Van Otteren, Snellville Economic Development Manager
Extend the Reagan Expressway west to Interstate 85 as it was originally conceived. It's time to over-ride the reasons it was stopped short years ago. At the same time extend the Reagan east to the Walton County line, or into Walton County. To pay for it, make the Reagan a moderately priced toll road. It worked with the GA. 400 extension from I-85 to the north suburbs. Then there is always the idea of double-decking 124 and 78. — Mark Rusch
With the 78/124 intersection being the crossroads of southern Gwinnett County, most people traveling west from Walton County and beyond towards Atlanta, or in the opposite direction, do so on Highway 78; traveling from virtually any direction, anyone wishing to shop in Snellville will most likely travel on Highway 124. The city does not control the signals along Highways 78 and 124, the county does. Some members of the city council have contacted Gwinnett County DOT and requested a review of signal timing. As a result, traffic flow has been improved to a degree, however, the sheer volume of traffic remains a problem that signal synchronization can't solve. Significantly improving traffic flow through Snellville will require a multi-pronged approach and a cooperative effort between state, county and city agencies. It takes time and money to implement the necessary improvements, and we are making progress. — Dave Emanuel, Snellville City Council, Post 1
The best solution would be to make this a limited access road, but since I know that will not happen, I think the number of traffic lights should be reduced and those which remain should be synchronized. Going eastbound, when one finally gets through the traffic light at Rosebud Road, everything opens up, and one can zip along at the speed limit. — Jane Nieland
Responding to: "But, as with other improvements, these ideas require space that may result in the need for land acquisition — all problems that take not only vision, but time and money." Money we certainly won't have if Mayor Kautz has anything to sue, say about it. — Erin McLaughlin
Stop over zoning. Gwinnett is way too crowded . — Robert Barnard
I wish we had better access to I-85, I know that's not the topic here. I love the diamond, think it has improved Pleasant Hill. — Joy Phillips
A diverging diamond is not the answer. It hasn't helped congestion on Pleasant Hill. — Becky Lobb Partain
Timing of the lights are critical, as well as a city trolley that goes to all our retail places. — Donna Aker
Development of a mass transit system might help. — M.E. Everson
Invest in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Change our habits. — M. White
Diverging Diamonds." No, wait, those don't work either" — M. White
Align the lights and stop stacking so many businesses in one space. — Tracy R Wooldridge
The city council is too busy getting sued by the mayor to solve these problems — Nathan Horton
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
When the Great Wolf Lodge of Georgia came knocking on Peachtree City’s door last month, asking to redevelop the Dolce hotel and conference center in Aberdeen Village into an indoor water park resort, the city’s Planning Commission and numerous residents huffed and puffed and blew Great Wolf off, if not completely away.
The proposed project would rezone the 38-acre property into a complex with nearly 400 guest rooms plus retail and entertainment space that the developer said would bring up to 500 jobs to the city and tax revenue of more than $1 million to the city and Fayette County.
David Rast, the city’s senior planner, told the commission that the resort would fit with the city’s land use plan if certain aspects of the site were modified, and that traffic would not be dramatically affected.
But the Planning Commission unanimously rejected the proposal at its February meeting, following a flood of complaints from nearby residents who said such an attraction would disrupt the surrounding residential areas and add to the city’s traffic woes. However, a public hearing on the rezoning request is on the agenda for the March 19 city council meeting.
So tell us, does this type of development fit anywhere in Peachtree City to bring tourist revenue, or are such attractions inconsistent with this planned community’s environment? We want to hear from you. Send an email to communitynews@ajc.com.
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