Roswell Rd/Abernathy Rd Intersection Short Range Improvements

Description:  Safety improvements to the intersection of Roswell Road and Abernathy Road. Work will include signalizing right turn movements, installing barrier separation between through traffic and left turn lanes, and shortening medians to allow easier and safer turns. This is a joint project between the City and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). GDOT is responsible for the construction of the project. 

Status: Construction is expected to start early 2022

Background

This intersection has the 4th highest crash rate in Sandy Springs based on 2017 crashes and traffic volumes.

• Focus of study is Roswell / Abernathy Road, adjacent intersections & a segment of Roswell Road
• Issued RFP September 2019
• Original Contract with Kimley-Horn for crash analysis
• Change order for design of short-term intersection improvements and analysis of long-range intersection improvements (9/15/2020)

Design of Short Range Improvements

• Signal design for westbound right‐turn movement
• Pull back east leg median nose
• Simplify overhead and roadside signage on the southbound (SB) Roswell Road approach
• Add a raised concrete median to SB Roswell Road approach between through & left‐turn lanes
• Design hatching and striping at the southbound right‐turn movement
• Convert the southern Publix driveway to right‐in/right‐out, closing the median opening at the driveway

Public Involvement

• Online meeting March 22, 2021

Short Range Improvements

• The City submitted six short range improvements to GDOT for Quick Response funding in two packages because Quick Response funds are limited to $200,000 per package.
• Package 1:  Completion 3/22/2022.  Contract with Reedwick.
  • Signalize the westbound channelized right-turn movement
  • Pull back the east-leg median nose
  • Push the roadway edge out along Abernathy Road at the northwest corner (with striping) and remove the existing island striping

• Virtual Public Meeting March 22nd.  Public comments March 22-29.  Because of the public comments we received for Project 6, extending the median across the south Publix driveway, we withdrew Project 6 from Package 2 due to timing. 
• Package 2  includes the following:
  • Simplify overhead signage on the southbound approach
  • Install barrier separation between the southbound through and left-turn lanes

Short Range Improvements – Package 1

• GDOT awarded contract to Contractor Reedwick, Project # S015568. $79,799.

Short Range Improvements – Package 2

• GDOT awarded contract to Contractor C&S Paving, Inc. for $183,555.

Short Range Project 6: Extend Median Across S Publix Driveway

• 25 crashes in five years, some right angle and some pedestrian
• Restricted sight distance
• GDOT has jurisdiction here
• Abernathy Square Shopping Center hired Lee Group Consulting to advance their desire for signalizing the south driveway.

• City staff met with Vernon Lee, Lee Group Consulting; Jim Ezell, Retail Planning Corp.; Paul Denard, GDOT D7 District Engineer and Megan Wilson, GDOT D7 Assistant District Traffic Engineer on October 25, 2021
• Retail Planning Corp. to undertake traffic engineering study and will submit it to GDOT.

Evaluation of Long Range Improvement Alternatives

Currently evaluating:

• NB and SB Displaced Left Turns (DLT)
• SB Displaced Left Turn with NB Thru U-Turn
• SB Displaced Left Turn with Quadrant Roadway

More Info: Short Term Improvements