Peachtree Intersection Plans Obtained

In response to an Open Records Request, the DeKalb County Department of Public Works provided me a copy of the final intersection plan for North Peachtree Road and Kings Point Circle, which serves the main entrance to the new Peachtree Charter Middle School. The plan is dated October 14, 2007, therefore it does not appear that major design changes were made to the intersection plan due to a shift in funding from one County agency to another in the final stages of the apparently heated funding negotiations.

http://www.dunwoodynorth.org/.../intersection.pdf

The plan incorporates three of the five elements that I was personally hoping the intersection would have to maximize pedestrian safety and improve traffic flow. The design incorporates a left turn lane on North Bound, N. Peachtree Rd entering PCMS, cross walks with buttons to assist in crossing all lanes of traffic at the intersection and a deceleration lane for South bound traffic turning Right into PCMS.

The elements not included in the final intersection design may negatively affect the traffic flow on North Peachtree Rd at the peak times of the school. The design does not include a signal controlled, left hand turn into the school from north bound North Peachtree Rd. allowing cars to enter the facility without fighting the south bound traffic in the morning heading towards I -285. Ms. Patrece Keeter, of DeKalb Public Works stated in an e-mail, that “we” (the county) can monitor the volumes to see if the left turn warrants are met in the future and they can be added at that time.

The other item missing is an acceleration lane or an additional lane turning Right (South) out of PCMS but it does appear that the right of way will be pushed back several feet to make additional room on the street. The design also includes, new wheelchair accessible crosswalks, small turn lane islands, LED traffic lights, and a traffic sensor on PCMS property which will actuate the traffic signals leaving the property.

Now when is the start date?