Questions from the Community
The Evermore CID appreciates the broad community support
Homeowners in the areas
surrounding the Highway 78 project have posed several
good questions about the progress of the construction.
We will attempt to provide answers and updates to your
inquires here.
Why are there daytime lane
closures, we understood work was to be performed at night?
The majority of road construction
will take place after 7 p.m. and before 5 a.m. There will be an
occasional daytime lane closure. The current lane closures, single
lane for short distances, are related to utility and clearing work
and these lane closures typically begin at 9 a.m. and end by 3 p.m.
in an attempt to avoid rush hour.
Why are they cutting the trees on West Park
Place in front of Best Buy and on the other side by the old Kroger
and Outback?
Clearing on most of the approach streets to the
major intersections is necessary for several reasons:
- Installation of new fiber optic cable to
synchronize the lights -- this intersection in particular in
synchronizing the light at EPP and 78 with the light at RBR and
Sharp Trail.
- Relocation of various utilities that may
include power poles as well as underground such as gas and water
lines.
- The approach streets will also get new
pavement for varying distances away from U.S. 78 to allow for a
smooth transition to the new alignment of U.S. 78 once that
construction is complete.
- The curbing in some locations is being
relocated to improve the turn radius onto U.S. 78 as well as in
and out of businesses.
- Installation of sidewalk and sidewalk
connections to existing sidewalks require clearing at some
locations on side streets.
What are they clearing for behind Blockbuster,
Taco Bell, and Old Cub Foods?
Nothing. They are using this area to accumulate
the debris from road construction including landscaping. At some
point, they will bring in a chipper and grind up all the debris for
mulch to recycle.
Is there a time table for the Davis Road
Connector to be completed?
Not yet. The preliminary concept meeting with GDOT
was positive, but there are no final plans yet. Once final plans are
completed, will take months, then we have to go through an
environmental review process that may take up to 18 months, then and
only then, could we begin acquisition of ROW (right of way), and then after that,
schedule construction. I would guess at a minimum two to three
years. If possible to accelerate, we'd like to do that, but so far,
doesn't look like it.
Can you give me a general statement about the
median project? The first phase is from where to where? When is this
first phase expected to be completed? Lanes closing when?
Preparations for actual road construction are well
underway. The clearing crews are running ahead of schedule and have
already passed Parkwood Road. The clearing will include the entire
7-mile corridor at once. This includes the removal of landscaping,
signs, light posts, and any other impediment that will interfere
with actual road construction and/or the relocation of utilities or
installation of sidewalks.
Once road construction begins, most likely the
first of November, it will be in stages. The first stage is from EPP
to Stone Drive. The second stage is from Stone to Killian Hill. The
third from Killian Hill to Highpoint and the fourth, and final
stage, is from Highpoint to SR 124. The contractor is permitted to
work within two stages at a time.
Within each stage there are three phases. The
first phase is on the south side of U.S. 78 and the contractor will
make all the various improvements to lanes, curbs, etc. working from
west to east. The second phase within each stage is the north side
of U.S. 78 where the contractor will work from east to west doing
the same type work on that side of U.S. 78. The final phase in each
stage is the actual median construction in the center of the
roadway.
Once road work begins, the contractor will
re-stripe the lanes within the construction zone to have three
permanent lanes heading west to Atlanta and two permanent lanes
headed east to Snellville. The reversible lane lights will be fixed
so as not to change within the work zone and will continue to
operate as normal outside the work zone. Once the final phase,
median construction, is completed in each stage, the newly created
three lanes in each direction will be open to traffic prior to the
contractor moving into the next stage of construction.
Each stage should take approximately 6 months -
give or take. The total project must be completed by November 2009.
Lane closures vary by activity and change
frequently. The best way to stay informed about lane closures is to
subscribe to the Traffic Info email at the Evermore website [
http://www.evermorecid.org
] and check the site frequently for the most up-to-date info
[sometimes changes during the day]. Within about two months, we will
also have up and running our construction communication system on
U.S. 78 that will include changeable message boards and highway
advisory radio for more frequent updates. The Georgia DOT also has a
telephone traffic info line. Just dial 511 and follow the
prompts to get info on U.S. 78 construction, accidents, lane
closures, etc.
Once active road work begins, the majority of that
work will be done after 7 p.m. and before 5 a.m.
Thanks for sharing this info with the community.
Please feel free to provide my info to anyone with questions and
encourage them to contact me.
|
