Traffic signal for Senior Center on hold
by Ray Lightner
Sep 22, 2012 | 1315 views | 3 3 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Georgia Department of Transportation told Spalding County it is “not approving a traffic signal at this time” for the new Senior Center.

County Commissioner Eddie Freeman said he met with Todd Long at GDOT to again request the traffic signal. Freeman said he was told they’d look at it after a traffic count is done after the center opens.

The response from GDOT Chief Engineer Gerald Ross after reviewing the traffic engineering study was “it does not warrant a signal. I think we need to watch it operate and look at volumes and ques at the time it is opened.”

County Manager William Wilson Jr., said “we did get the permit for accel/decel lanes and a turn lane. Everything is there for a signal except the signal.”

Wilson said “it’s really upsetting after everything we’ve done — changed the entrance, changed the entire parking lot,” to accommodate a signal at one entrance. He said county would also be requesting the city lower the speed limit along Memorial Drive.

To possibly expedite the process, Commissioner Raymond Ray proposed doing another traffic count during early voting, which would “give us somewhat of an idea of what traffic would be for the Senior Center.”

Wilson said it would also be easier than the last count since there is now only one entrance to Memorial Drive Plaza, where there had been three when last traffic count was done.

The Senior Center is still on schedule to open in December, and Wilson said an extended grand opening is planned to showcase the new center. Commissioner Bob Gilreath asked if the county would be showing it off to neighboring counties, like Fayette and Henry “to show them what we have is better.”
Comments
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NeedsAnExcuse
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September 24, 2012
A traffic light? Lower speed limit? Lol, people already cant figure out that the left lane on a 4 lane highway is for passing, not riding beside the car in the other lane at the same speed...It will be another traffic nightmare when people turn the corner at the library and see a red light because ONE car wants to to turn left into the "center"
GA/FL
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September 23, 2012
Makes perfect sense to wait and see how many accidents, possibly deaths and serious injuries, before the decision is made to install a light. NOT!!!! Why not install a light to be programmed only during the busy hours when the center is open? Well duh, why didn't DOT think of that?
doktrt
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September 22, 2012
And GDOT probably wonders why people wouldn't pass a T-SPLOST. Everybody knows a traffic light is needed at the Senior Center. GDOT wants a study? You think somebody's relatives are getting rich off all these studies? GDOT seems to have money to put these giant turn lanes on the Barnesville By-pass at every crossoever but can't approve a stoplight. It will probably take a person being seriously injured or killed before GDOT will listen. The family should be sure to remember Mr. Ross when this occurs. Once again a case of government turning a deaf ear to the needs of the people.