Georgia

[afguy]

Here is a rendering of what the future I-75/SR 20 DDI will look like....
I-75/SR 20 DDI-Henry County by brandon walker, on Flickr

[afguy]

I'm currently in Savannah right now and on my way back to my hotel I saw that the Truman Parkway still has a few signs that are illuminated at night. I believe these are the only ones still left in Georgia.
Truman Parkway Southbound-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

Truman Parkway Northbound-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

Truman Parkway Northbound-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

[afguy]

Update on the I-16/I-75 interchange project. Work is coming along rapidly on this project. Half of the new Walnut Street overpass over I-75 is nearly complete.
Interstate 75-Macon by brandon walker, on Flickr

Interstate 75-Macon by brandon walker, on Flickr

[adventurernumber1]

Update on the I-16/I-75 interchange project. Work is coming along rapidly on this project. Half of the new Walnut Street overpass over I-75 is nearly complete.
Interstate 75-Macon by brandon walker, on Flickr

Interstate 75-Macon by brandon walker, on Flickr

That's amazing. I will actually be traveling through Macon the weekend after this weekend, on a trip to Hilton Head Island, SC, and I absolutely cannot wait to see the progress on the I-75/I-16 interchange construction in person. Thank you for the pictures! 

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

I'm currently in Savannah right now and on my way back to my hotel I saw that the Truman Parkway still has a few signs that are illuminated at night. I believe these are the only ones still left in Georgia.
Truman Parkway Southbound-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

Did GDOTs sign shop have a stroke when making the sign to the left?


iPhone

[Eth]

I'm currently in Savannah right now and on my way back to my hotel I saw that the Truman Parkway still has a few signs that are illuminated at night. I believe these are the only ones still left in Georgia.
Truman Parkway Southbound-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

Did GDOTs sign shop have a stroke when making the sign to the left?

Sign shop conversation:

Person #1: "Hey, you know 'Derenne' is supposed to have a capital R in it, right?"
Person #2: "I can take the r out, but I can't fit a capital R in there and I really don't want to remake the whole sign."
Person #1: "Eh, just make it smaller. Nobody will notice."

[afguy]

As much flack as GDOT gets for signs, this one can't be blamed on them. The Harry Truman Parkway was built and is maintained by Chatham County. It's one of the few county-maintained freeways in the state, the others being Veterans Parkway(Chatham), Ronald Reagan Parkway(Gwinnett) and the Sugarloaf Parkway Extension(Gwinnett).

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

I'm currently in Savannah right now and on my way back to my hotel I saw that the Truman Parkway still has a few signs that are illuminated at night. I believe these are the only ones still left in Georgia.
Truman Parkway Southbound-Savannah by brandon walker, on Flickr

Did GDOTs sign shop have a stroke when making the sign to the left?

Sign shop conversation:

Person #1: "Hey, you know 'Derenne' is supposed to have a capital R in it, right?"
Person #2: "I can take the r out, but I can't fit a capital R in there and I really don't want to remake the whole sign."
Person #1: "Eh, just make it smaller. Nobody will notice."

With the R in there it throws the already terrible spacing off even worse!


iPhone

[afguy]

GDOT is planning more roundabouts. This time two are planned for Columbus at Spur 22 and Macon Road and Spur 22 at Lynch Road/Technology Pkwy.
Spur 22/Lynch Rd/Technology Pkwy Roundabout-Columbus,GA by brandon walker, on Flickr

Macon Rd/Spur 22 Roundabout-Columbus,GA by brandon walker, on Flickr

[Eth]

Speaking of roundabouts, it seems they're starting to become quite common up in north Georgia. I passed through about a half-dozen of them while clinching GA 372 yesterday, including what appears to be one under construction at the intersection with GA 369. There's also one at GA 183's east end at GA 53 that looks like it was recently finished; I guess that explains what all the orange barrels were for the last time I went through there in February 2017.

[adventurernumber1]

Speaking of roundabouts, it seems they're starting to become quite common up in north Georgia. I passed through about a half-dozen of them while clinching GA 372 yesterday, including what appears to be one under construction at the intersection with GA 369. There's also one at GA 183's east end at GA 53 that looks like it was recently finished; I guess that explains what all the orange barrels were for the last time I went through there in February 2017.

Up here in my neck of the woods, there was even plans for at least two different roundabouts, but both of them were scrapped, IIRC.

Near Dalton, GA, at I-75's Exit 326 (Carbondale Rd.), there was plans to build three different roundabouts. There was going to be two at both sets of on/off ramps at I-75, and one at US 41 (which is right next to the interchange). They have still started major construction on this exit, but from what I can tell, the plans for roundabouts specifically were scrapped.

Also, up until now, there was a very bad traffic situation in Dalton, Georgia at I-75's Exit 333 (GA SR 52; Walnut Ave., Dalton). College Drive used to intersect Georgia Highway 52 right there where the actual interchange was. This intersection was not signalized, and it was way too close to the on/off ramps for traffic to flow very well. Finally, construction was started to fix this problem by realigning College Dr. with West Bridge Road, and creating a new signalized intersection there. However, originally, they were throwing around the idea of creating a roundabout at GA SR 52 and College Dr. They rightfully decided that in this case, that wouldn't be the best decision, so instead, they built a regular signalized intersection, and the roundabout idea was scrapped.

In the past few months, the College Dr/GA SR 52 intersection construction was finished, but here is what the road configuration looked like before, which was really bad:




Tennessee has really started adding a lot of roundabouts, especially in the eastern part of the Chattanooga Metro Area (also in my neck of the woods), particularly in East Brainerd. There's been a lot of growth there, and I find it fascinating how they are sprucing up the road system there (such as adding those roundabouts). I have yet to see any of those new ones in person, but I would love to do so soon. 

[lordsutch]

GDOT is planning more roundabouts. This time two are planned for Columbus at Spur 22 and Macon Road and Spur 22 at Lynch Road/Technology Pkwy.
Spur 22/Lynch Rd/Technology Pkwy Roundabout-Columbus,GA by brandon walker, on Flickr

Not necessarily a bad idea, but that roundabout is going to lock up bad when trains come through. Not that I've ever seen a train on that line anytime I've driven through Columbus, mind you.

Also, nitpick: that one is not on Spur 22, it's on mainline Ga. 22 (better known as US 80, sorta-kinda-maybe part of the "Fall Line Freeway" depending on exactly where GDOT claims it starts).

[Gnutella]

DeRenne Ave 

[2Co5_14]

Speaking of roundabouts, it seems they're starting to become quite common up in north Georgia. I passed through about a half-dozen of them while clinching GA 372 yesterday, including what appears to be one under construction at the intersection with GA 369. There's also one at GA 183's east end at GA 53 that looks like it was recently finished; I guess that explains what all the orange barrels were for the last time I went through there in February 2017.

Up here in my neck of the woods, there was even plans for at least two different roundabouts, but both of them were scrapped, IIRC.

Near Dalton, GA, at I-75's Exit 326 (Carbondale Rd.), there was plans to build three different roundabouts. There was going to be two at both sets of on/off ramps at I-75, and one at US 41 (which is right next to the interchange). They have still started major construction on this exit, but from what I can tell, the plans for roundabouts specifically were scrapped.

From checking the approved construction plans on GDOT Projects website, it looks like the I-75 Exit 326 ramps at Carbondale Rd. and the US 41 intersection will in fact be getting roundabouts.

http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/ProjectSearch# (search using project number: " 610890- "; then click "Related Documents")
http://www.dot.ga.gov/applications/geopi/Pages/Dashboard.aspx?ProjectID=610890-

I didn't personally work on this project, but I know the engineers who did.  I actually used these intersections as an example problem on doing roundabout traffic analysis, as a part of the internal training class I used to teach for roadway design engineers.

[adventurernumber1]

Speaking of roundabouts, it seems they're starting to become quite common up in north Georgia. I passed through about a half-dozen of them while clinching GA 372 yesterday, including what appears to be one under construction at the intersection with GA 369. There's also one at GA 183's east end at GA 53 that looks like it was recently finished; I guess that explains what all the orange barrels were for the last time I went through there in February 2017.

Up here in my neck of the woods, there was even plans for at least two different roundabouts, but both of them were scrapped, IIRC.

Near Dalton, GA, at I-75's Exit 326 (Carbondale Rd.), there was plans to build three different roundabouts. There was going to be two at both sets of on/off ramps at I-75, and one at US 41 (which is right next to the interchange). They have still started major construction on this exit, but from what I can tell, the plans for roundabouts specifically were scrapped.

From checking the approved construction plans on GDOT Projects website, it looks like the I-75 Exit 326 ramps at Carbondale Rd. and the US 41 intersection will in fact be getting roundabouts.

http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/ProjectSearch# (search using project number: " 610890- "; then click "Related Documents")
http://www.dot.ga.gov/applications/geopi/Pages/Dashboard.aspx?ProjectID=610890-

I didn't personally work on this project, but I know the engineers who did.  I actually used these intersections as an example problem on doing roundabout traffic analysis, as a part of the internal training class I used to teach for roadway design engineers.

Oh okay. I don't know what I was thinking. I haven't been on the exit in a long time, and for some reason, I thought they had scrapped the plans for roundabouts. It is interesting to hear that they are in fact building those roundabouts. I am very excited to see the results of this construction when it is all done. 

[afguy]

With Bryan and Bulloch Counties voting on a TSPLOST in two weeks and Liberty considering one for 2020, I wonder how long it will be before Chatham decides to jump on board.

Liberty County voted for TSPLOST a recent election. However at that time the referendum was broken into regions and not individual counties. The coastal region voted down TSPLOST.
Due to recent changes of the legislation, individual counties can move forward with placing TSPLOST referendums on the ballots for the 2020 elections.
Brown said under the new legislation the rate for the TSPLOST could be up to 1 percent and the duration would be five years.
He added that most eligible projects within the county have already been identified in the State Transportation Plan.
Brown said TSPLOST could bring in a little over $40 million which could move the bypass out of the funding and planning stage and toward the start of construction.

https://coastalcourier.com/news/local-news/county-looking-to-tsplost-to-build-hinesville-bypass/

[architect77]

I just sent a passionate email to several engineers at GDOT today asking them to stop mounting single and small overhead signs with a full support structure across the entire roadway which is less attractive, adds to visual clutter, and is way more expensive because of their irrational fear of cantilevered supports thst are perfectly safe with an inspection of the bolts at the footing every few years.

It's unfortunate to see this insult to engineering evolution breing continued amongst all of the strcutures and clutter of the I-75 Northwest express lanes project.

If you agree that cantilevered supports should be re-embraced for signs near the median and small single signs please contact them with the repeated request that I made.

This is only state I've come across that scared to erect any new cantilivered assemblies over roadway.

[Tom958]

I just sent a passionate email to several engineers at GDOT today asking them to stop mounting single and small overhead signs with a full support structure across the entire roadway which is...

A full-width gantry was destroyed in Bartow County. Check it out. I seriously doubt that its collapse was less unsafe than that of a cantilever would've been.

[Gnutella]

I just sent a passionate email to several engineers at GDOT today asking them to stop mounting single and small overhead signs with a full support structure across the entire roadway which is less attractive, adds to visual clutter, and is way more expensive because of their irrational fear of cantilevered supports thst are perfectly safe with an inspection of the bolts at the footing every few years.

It's unfortunate to see this insult to engineering evolution breing continued amongst all of the strcutures and clutter of the I-75 Northwest express lanes project.

If you agree that cantilevered supports should be re-embraced for signs near the median and small single signs please contact them with the repeated request that I made.

This is only state I've come across that scared to erect any new cantilivered assemblies over roadway.

You hate it too, huh? Those small, rinky-dink signs are hard to read at speeds over 35 MPH. GDOT doesn't like to replace them often either.

[Tom958]

I've been told that GDOT has petitioned AASHTO to remove US 29 from downtown Lawrenceville and route it instead via GA 316 and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, plus a short connecting section of GA 120. Unless GDOT handles this extremely casually, that means that the battleaxe button copy signs for the GA 120 exit from 316 will be remembered (!!) and replaced. Oh, well, they've had a long run.

[emory]

I've been told that GDOT has petitioned AASHTO to remove US 29 from downtown Lawrenceville and route it instead via GA 316 and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, plus a short connecting section of GA 120. Unless GDOT handles this extremely casually, that means that the battleaxe button copy signs for the GA 120 exit from 316 will be remembered (!!) and replaced. Oh, well, they've had a long run.

That means Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road will have to be added to the state highway system. Assuming the plan is to relinquish US 29 to Lawrenceville, I'm guessing Lawrenceville-Suwanee would just become part of SR 8. If not and they just want to relocate US 29 while maintaining SR 8 through Lawrenceville, they'd have to create a new number.

I wonder if Crogan/Winder Hwy will become US 29 Business. If that happens, it would intersect US 29/SR 316 at its current terminus.

[Eth]

I wonder if Crogan/Winder Hwy will become US 29 Business. If that happens, it would intersect US 29/SR 316 at its current terminus.

I suspect not; I think if that were GDOT's plan they'd have also submitted an application to extend that route. The full application can be found on pages 121-128 here.

My guess would be that GA 8 will be rerouted the same way as US 29. And since Georgia doesn't tend to leave hanging ends, I would expect a change for GA 120 as well, most likely a truncation back to Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd (maybe co-signed with US 29/GA 8 to GA 316, but no farther). On the other hand, maybe Google Maps has been on to something all these years of showing GA 317 continuing past I-85 and it'll be extended down to current US 29 to accommodate the new routing.

This would also be a prime opportunity to clean up the mess that is the routings of GA 20 and GA 124 through downtown. Moving 20 off of the Clayton/Perry one-way pair and onto 124 would seem to make sense.

[emory]

I wonder if Crogan/Winder Hwy will become US 29 Business. If that happens, it would intersect US 29/SR 316 at its current terminus.

I suspect not; I think if that were GDOT's plan they'd have also submitted an application to extend that route. The full application can be found on pages 121-128 here.

Ah. I see it now. Thanks.

I also noticed in this application a petition to remove US 341 from Main/Ball/Sam Nunn in Perry and make US 341 Bypass/Perry Parkway part of the main US 341.

[Tom958]

This would also be a prime opportunity to clean up the mess that is the routings of GA 20 and GA 124 through downtown. Moving 20 off of the Clayton/Perry one-way pair and onto 124 would seem to make sense.

Well, actually... the Clayton-Perry one-way pair is being removed, too. I don't know how it'll affect the routing of state highways- - I doubt that that was even considered. The map I saw in the AJC showed Clayton Street remaining one-way on the east side of the courthouse square, which would suggest that 20 should be routed along Perry even though it's slightly longer. Or, maybe it'd be best to move 20 over to Jackson Street.

[Buck87]

Moving 20 off of the Clayton/Perry one-way pair and onto 124 would seem to make sense.

Isn't that the way it is already?

Coming into Lawrenceville from the south the signage for 20 says to turn right onto 124 (from Grayson to Scenic.) That's what I've done each time I've gone through there on 20, although I've always turned left on Jackson from Scenic and not gone up to Crogan as the signage directs.