Coordinating

traffic lights as far north as Ga. Highway 279

with those in downtown Fayetteville won't have

any great effect on traffic now, admitted city

engineer Don Easterbrook.

But

expanding the joint city/county traffic light

synchronization project is a good way to prepare

for the future, he said.

Easterbrook

and Fayette County public works director Lee

Hearn visited Georgia Department of

Transportation officials recently to learn more

about DOT's suggestion that the project be

expanded, after the County Commission had told

Easterbrook that they need more information

before deciding whether to pay part of the cost.

Easterbrook

said DOT and city consultants are suggesting they

coordinate the lights on Ga. Highway 85 north all

the way to Hwy. 279, and add lights along Ga.

Highway 314 as well. That would increase the

number of synchronized traffic lights from 11 to

21, increasing the cost of the project by about

$70,000.

Lights

are far apart in the area north of the city, but

that won't last forever, Easterbrook said. As

more traffic signals are erected between

Fayetteville and the county line, it will become

more critical to have the lights coordinated, he

said. "This way, the infrastructure will

already be in place," he said. "It's

best to do it all now rather than break it into

three projects."

Easterbrook

recently told commissioners all he needs right

now is $3,000 to match the city's cost to build

an equipment list for the project, but

commissioners said there's no reason to get an

equipment list until they're sure they want to

increase the scope of the plan. At least 14 of

the 21 traffic lights to be coordinated would be

within the city limits, said Easterbrook.

"We

are compelled first and foremost to take care of

the needs of the county," said Commissioner

Linda Wells, but Commissioner Glen Gosa said

county residents use the roads as much as city

residents do. "I want to cooperate with

you," he told Easterbrook.

Improved

traffic flow and easier crossing for pedestrians

is the goal of the plan. Commissioners want proof

the expenditure will actually improve traffic

flow.

<!--

-----------