TO: Forest Hill Road Representatives

FROM: Bibb County Representatives

SUBJECT: Forest Hill Road Mediation Response to Citizens (3-19-08)

DATE: 3/25/2008

I’m sorry about your misinterpretation of our reaction at the mediation session on February 28^th. The presentation of the two typical sections for Forest Hill Road was certainly unexpected by our group. I realize it was an enormous and dramatic change for your group to acquiesce that improvements are needed all along Forest Hill Road.

Our group is very firm that a three-lane section is needed north of Wimbish Road. As requested by your response of March 19^th, we have reviewed your proposal again with an open mind and in more detail on the 52-foot wide section. Attached for your convenience is another copy of Residents Drawing No. 1 showing the 52-foot wide footprint. We have produced an alternate drawing labeled County Drawing No. 4, which gives each of the groups a 52 foot wide section. Please notice the following similarities:

We think these two sections are too close not to have agreement on. We think the over four million vehicles traveling this road each year need the safety that the three lanes can provide. Left turn lanes are needed at each of the 15 intersecting side streets and 85 private driveways. This is as far as our group is prepared to go as far as compromising safety on this section.

Our offer to reduce the footprint of the four-lane section from 86 feet 7 inches to 79 feet 5 inches is as far as we are willing to compromise this typical section. This is the best we can do.

Reducing the design speed of both projects from 45 mph to 35 mph is not reasonable at this late date. However, as you know, both projects will have a posted speed limit of 35 mph. This will be a reduction from the now posted 45 mph to 35 mph when construction is completed.

In response to the concerns expressed in the Resident’s Response of March 19^th contained in the initial position paper, we think these concerns were addressed in the Environmental Assessment and the Finding of No Significant Impact prepared by environmentalists, historians, and scientists working on the design of this project. I think your group has a copy of these documents. The impact to historical properties, streams, ecology, air, noise, wetlands, endangered species, water quality, land use, relocations, economic/social, utilities, and hazardous wastes were identified and addressed in these documents. These documents have been approved by:

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

Federal Highway Administration

The realignment of Forest Hill Road/Wimbish/Northminster as proposed by Mr. Chellman in your response of March 19^th has been considered by our group. Forest Hill Road carries about 1,000 vehicles per day (vpd) more than Wimbish Road. This would tend to make Forest Hill Road the dominant alignment. The current configuration of the two roads would provide the least detrimental impact to the community. To align Northminster Drive with Forest Hill Road would require displacement of a law firm and a mortgage association located on the corner. See the attached drawing labeled County Drawing No. 5. We would not recommend changing the alignment as per Mr. Chellman’s suggestion. As you already know, this intersection does not meet GDOT’s requirements for a roundabout.

Currently Forest Hill Road south of Wimbish Road is carrying some 14,869 vpd. It is projected to be carrying over 25,000 vpd in the design year (2024). Current GDOT policy requires that a raised median be placed on this type of facility. It also provides a landscaping opportunity to make the facility look more like a boulevard. Currently, Mercer University Drive from Log Cabin Drive to I-475 is having a raised median placed on it. I think Riverside Drive, which is under construction now, is probably a special case since access can only be made from the west side due to Interstate 75 being on the east side of the roadway.

I hope you will give these proposals your utmost consideration.