Fayette County celebrates multi-use path, roundabout completion

Fayette County officials celebrated the construction of a 1.5-mile new multi-use path along Redwine Road and a new roundabout and associated multi-use paths and crosswalks at the intersection of Redwine Road, Bernhard Road, and Peachtree Parkway.

A ribbon cutting took place on August 22 at 4:15 pm. The projects were jointly funded by the federal aid program through the Atlanta Regional Commission and local match, most significantly the 2017 Transportation SPLOST program.

This was the 5th path project along Redwine Road and furthered the long-term goal of providing a safe and comprehensive path network for multiple communities in the area, according to a Fayette County news release.

The project expanded the connection to Starr’s Mill School Complex by installing 4,300 feet of path between Birkdale Drive and Newhaven Drive and 3,600 feet of path between Preserve Place and Foreston Place.

In addition to the path, the project also provided drainage improvements and a pedestrian hybrid beacon for at-grade crossings of Redwine Road near the Birkdale Drive and Quarters Road intersection.

Although completion of this project is a major step in connecting homes to the school complex, users will notice a large gap in the path south of Robinson Road. This is to accommodate the installation of a tunnel under Redwine Road. The tunnel project will complete the gap along the east side of Redwine Road and construct an additional 800 ft of path along Robinson Road from the tunnel to Holly Grove Road. Construction for the tunnel and additional paths will start in the next few months.

The purpose of the project was to improve the operational efficiency of the former all-way stop, which often experienced failing “level-of-service” during AM and PM peak hours and during school traffic. Other project goals were to improve safety and optimize the interaction of pedestrians and golf cart users with vehicles in and around the intersection.

The roundabout is expected to significantly reduce delay, as well as the frequency and severity of crashes.

For pedestrians and golf carts, illuminated crosswalks were installed on each leg of the intersection. The crosswalks are provided with refuge areas so users can cross one lane of traffic at a time and were set away from the roundabout to reduce the number of decisions and potential conflict points a driver experience while navigating the intersection.

The project was designed by Croy Engineering and constructed by McLeroy, Inc. Design and construction challenges included the integration of path users with vehicles, a large number of utilities in the work zone, “existing” conditions topography that required the use of a modular block retaining wall, and trying to minimize impacts to the traveling public and private properties.

“Construction of this project was difficult as we balanced the conflicting goals of minimizing traffic impacts while still controlling project schedule and cost. Courtney Hassenzahl, Assistant Director of the Environmental Management Department said. “I’m proud of the way it turned out. I personally use the intersection often and see an improvement with nearly continuous traffic flow and safer crossings for students to going to or from school,” she said.

“The delivery of this project is the result of over a decade’s worth of planning, funding requests, design challenges, procurement issues, land acquisition, utility relocations, and construction. I’m thankful to all the people who have supported the project, including the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the project engineer (Heath & Lineback Engineers), the contractor (Helix Group, Inc.), county staff, the Board of Commissioners, and especially the public. They have been very patient and cooperative over the life of the project,” Phil Mallon, County Engineer, said.

Citizens are encouraged to visit the County’s webpage for the latest updates on all 2017 SPLOST projects: http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/splost-2017/. Contact Fayette County at 770-320-6010 or [email protected] for more information.