Last week’s article in The Citizen about the proposed intersection design for Ga. highways 54/74 is disturbing, to say the least.
What a waste of more than $5 million of taxpayer money by GDOT if this were to be approved. Additionally, it’s been suggested Peachtree City Council contribute an additional $1 million of SPLOST money (if it passes) on this debacle.
The picture of lanes crossing all over each other is going to confuse many and create an abundance of additional unnecessary accidents.
Eliminating the turn light cycles seems to be the primary goal. Unfortunately, that’s not the problem.
Much to council’s credit, I believe they recognize this and will look at the real problem, which is the massive amount of traffic going through the intersection, especially east/west on Hwy. 54 during rush hour(s).
The GDOT solution does nothing to prevent backups westbound on Hwy. 54 in the afternoon nor eastbound in the morning. The afternoon problem is compounded by traffic coming south on Hwy. 74 (with the added problem of allowing traffic to turn right on red) and north on Hwy. 74 turning west on Hwy. 54. Additionally, traffic uses the Market Place Connector and the Avenue all wanting to go west on Hwy. 54.
This all adds to the problem of flow “through” the intersection. The traffic signals at the Avenue, Huddleston, Walmart/Planterra and MacDuff, and, oh yes, that new light City Council added between Walmart and MacDuff, need to be dealt with.
One of the biggest problems is the left out of the Avenue onto Hwy. 54 during rush hour. When that light turns red it destroys the flow on Hwy. 54. I concur closing that light would require extra effort to go west.
One not so good solution is to have traffic go down Hwy. 74 south for the U-turn. Another is to simply not allow left turns between, say, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. It’s pretty much a no-win situation. However, the light must be acknowledged and a solution found.
The crossover on Hwy. 54 at Westpark needs to be closed allowing the turn lane from Hwy. 54 west to Hwy. 74 south to be extended. It’s an obvious, simple, low cost and reversible solution. Concerns of turning into Westpark eastbound revolve around driving nearly the same distance using the entrance from Hwy. 74.
Indeed, the exit to go east on Hwy. 54 out of Westpark would require using Aberdeen Parkway but one must judge the value of not clogging up Hwy. 54 just before the intersection at Hwy. 74 and reducing accidents.
Long term, we need an alternate route east/west in Fayette County and Fischer Road connected to I-85 in Coweta County. Until then, low cost, short-term solutions should be implemented.
Eric Imker
Candidate for mayor
Peachtree City, Ga.
