GDOT Officials Meet with Public for Roundabout
A roundabout may soon be a familiar sight in
“She’s 91 years old and has lived there for about 60 years and we’re so concerned for her, that she’s going have to move,” says Oree Hunnicutt from
Hunnicutt worries that her close friend may have to move because of the planned construction of a round about at the intersection of State Route 74/
“Because roundabouts are a safer means of approaching and getting through an intersection, we do feel like it’s the best way for us to correct issues there,” said Kimberly Larson with GDOT.
The roundabout project will cost around 2 million dollars and construction is scheduled to begin in December of 2012 and finish in the summer of 2013. GDOT officials say most of the feedback from the community has been positive.
“Most people don’t mind the roundabout. Their main concern is because these are fairly new concepts to motorists in the state of Georgia is how to drive through and how some of the big trucks will get through there and big farm equipment will get through there,” said Larson.
Hunnicutt isn’t concerned with how tractor trailers will move through; she’s worried about her 91-year-old friend having to pick up and move but Hunnicutt’s friend will one of very few who must relocate because of the construction. GDOT will begin purchasing right of way land next fall. Hunnicutt remains concerned for her friend, but believes the roundabout is a good idea for safeties sake.
“I think the number of accidents has decreased very much since the installation of the four way stop. I think it’s a good idea generally,” said Hunnicutt.
In 2008 there were 14 wrecks and one fatality at the intersection. In October of 2008, GDOT put a four way stop at the intersection and the number of wrecks went down dramatically.
Despite the success of the 4 way stop, GDOT officials say the roundabout is a safer option.
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