Sandy Springs will add dedicated left turn lanes with traffic signals at two Hammond Drive intersections.
Transportation Services Unit Manager Kristen Wescott told the Sandy Springs City Council at its June 18 work session that these low-cost, short-term safety and operational improvements will add dedicated turn lanes to the existing pavement width and right-of-way. The modifications will add audible pedestrian push buttons.
Hammond Drive intersections at Lake Forrest Drive and Sandy Springs Circle will get the improvements. These intersections were part of an evaluation of five existing signalized intersections. The other intersections were Roswell Road/GA 9 at Trowbridge Road and at Northridge Road, and Dunwoody Place at Hope Road/North River Drive.
Wescott said that crash history and traffic volumes meet the requirements to make the changes, noting that a disproportionate number of angle and head-on crashes have been recorded at Hammond Drive at Lake Forrest Drive.
“Likewise at Hammond Drive at Sandy Springs Circle we’ve had 40 sideswipe crashes,” Wescott said.
A $103,275 design contract has been awarded. Construction costs will be estimated once the proposed recommendations are approved, Wescott said.
“I love these projects where you can restripe the highway and achieve intersection improvements. Fantastic, keep looking at it, because these are the easiest ways and the cheapest ways to improve things,” City Councilmember John Paulson said.
In other council action
• Developers can use “green walls” as an alternative material finish for retaining walls in Sandy Springs. The city council approved a minor text amendment to permit the use of non-invasive evergreen vegetation for retaining walls.
• Sandy Springs will keep four sculptures that have been on display at City Springs in the Arts in the Open sculpture competition sponsored by Art Sandy Springs.
