Ongoing issues with the intersection of Goza and Antioch roads in south Fayette County led to a Sept. 15 vote to fast-track evaluation and design improvements for the intersection.
Though more than $1 million was allocated for the intersection improvement project on the 2017 SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) list, only $80,250 was initially budgeted for FY 2018.
Above, Fayette County commissioners at the Sept. 15 meeting included, from left, commissioners Chuck Oddo and Steve Brown, Chairman Eric Maxwell and commissioners Randy Ognio and Charles Rousseau. Photo/Ben Nelms.
Staff requested that $38,750 be allocated from the Ebenezer Church Road, Ebenezer Road and Spear Road project to make up the remainder of the expense needed to fast-track the project.
The issue surfaced during the summer when a number of residents provided input on the problems with the intersection that, over many years, has been the site of numerous traffic collisions and at least two fatalities.
Interim steps taken at the Aug. 24 meeting included four motions approved by commissioners.
The first motion will have staff fast-track the securing of an engineer to make the determination of both short-term and long-term solutions at the intersection.
The second motion had staff immediately implement precautionary signage and other measures deemed appropriate.
The third motion requested that the sheriff’s office use speed surveillance or, if not applicable, to have a presence at the intersection to keep drivers alert.
The final motion designated the intersection as a top priority project for implementation, using reserve funds if required, then reimbursing with SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) funds.
