Tips for navigating Holcomb Bridge
- Go side-by-side on the ramp. The ramp is wide enough to fit more cars, and drivers should go side-by-side where possible to dissipate congestion.
- Due of the high volume of traffic and construction projects, the Roswell Department of Transportation advises drivers to find an alternate route or use the bridge at different times.
Roswell wants to remind you that there is a new traffic signal on Holcomb Bridge.
However, some say the new signal for Eastbound Holcomb Bridge and Ga. 400 Exit 7A is causing more grief for drivers — accusing the signal of making traffic worse, backing up drivers along 400 for up to 20 minutes.
Steve Acenbrak, Roswell's deputy transportation director, said the free-flowing traffic at the intersection made it a high-risk area. He cited accidents and near-misses as reasoning for the traffic signal.
"We wanted to eliminate a conflict zone," he said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The traffic signal acts as valves to control the flow."
Holcomb Bridge is one of 400's busiest intersections, handling up to 70,000 cars a day, according to the city's Department of Transportation.
The signal was installed Monday night, before Tuesday night rush hour, according to the city. Even though this project was on the books for years, it still took some drivers by surprise, Acenbrak said.
He said the response has been "more overwhelming than anticipated."
The goal of all the changes is to build three lanes in each direction on Holcomb Bridge. But that may take awhile.
Many drivers said the traffic signal causes congestion and backs up traffic. The traffic signal is at a fixed interval, according to Acenbrak, so drivers will not see the light changing any faster.
Ahead of the traffic signal, Roswell changed the orientation of the center median in the middle and widened the ramp on Exit 7A to fit two lanes instead of one.
"It's been hard at so many levels," Acenbrak said, offering apologies for people's frustrations. "This is a work in progress."
UPDATE: The city of Roswell posted a series of FAQ on their Facebook page to address the growing concerns over the exit ramp.
Here is a snippet from the Facebook post:
QUESTION: What improvements have you made to address traffic congestion and increase safety on Exit 7A?
ANSWER:
--Increased striping has been added to help drivers see that Exit 7A now has two right turn lanes.
--Continuous adjustments to light timing. (This is being done manually, as there are not yet sensors beneath the exit ramp due to the ongoing construction.)
--An electronic message board indicating that drivers should be prepared to stop has been placed on GA-400 northbound near the exit.
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