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Macon, Ga |
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Is
a Compromise Possible?
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return to
Forest Hill
Road
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Macon, Ga |
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Is
a Compromise Possible?
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| See
images of: Neighborhood Plan (here) - - - Vs. - - - GDOT Plan (here) |
| - - Compromise Options -
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Citizens of Bibb County want Forest Hill Road fixed: 1- Repave the surface. 2- Limit new construction to - one new southbound left-turn-lane at Ridge Avenue, and one new southbound left-turn-lane onto Wimbish Road. No extra signals are needed. Build within the existing Right-Of-Way 2b- Realign?_FHR at Wimbish to Northminster ? 3- Safety - Control speeding with various techniques... including the possibility of traffic calming (Roundabouts) at some intersections. |
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Citizen Comments
: Basically, I agree with the three
points of the compromise. I would, like to see a couple of other
issues addressed. On the "S" curve that begins at Forest Pointe,
I would like to see the shoulders hardsurfaced and level with the
roadway. Another - there is a 40 mph speed limit sign just past
the intersection with Wimbish Road, and further down the hill, it
becomes 45 mph. I think this is too fast for a residential
neighborhood. I believe it should be reduced to 35 mph from the
Wimbish Road intersection to Northside Drive.
At the intersection of Forest
Hill Road and Wimbish, consideration should be given to no right turn
on red. We have problems getting out into Wimbish Road from the
condominium drive because of being unable to see traffic coming
around the curve. By requiring no right turn on red, that would
give us a safer entrance into Wimbish Road. The same would apply
to Northminster Drive.
Cynthia P.
I feel sure that I would agree with these 3 points as a compromise. But before I "signed on the dotted line" so to speak, I'd like a specific definition of "traffic calming." I assume it means roundabouts, with which I agree. But it needs to be defined so it can't be mis-used by defining it other ways. Someone could say that 5 lanes would provide traffic calming because there would be less congestion -- I certainly would not agree to this! If there is more than one way to calm traffic, I think a list of ways should be very specific. - Barb A. I agree with the comments made by Barbara and Cynthia. It would be great if we could convince our commissioners that this is ALL we need but, if not, then round-abouts would be the next best thing. I would also like to see the same type speed control signs on FHR that are on Ridge Ave. They have at least four signs going each way that say RESIDENTIAL AREA(I believe these are in yellow )and below that sign on the same post a speed limit of 35 mph is posted. The psychology of these is good because they keep reminding you that you are in a residential area.....this is not just a way to get from here to there, but a place where people LIVE...and when you see it enough, it begins to sink in. I do pray we can save the beauty and integrity of our neighborhood. Alice Boyd Forest Hill is very much
like the street I grew up on in NJ (Schraalenburgh Road in Haworth
known as Washington Avenue in Dumont and Bergenfield). If it were
not for the revolutionary-era homes, local zoning setback
rules, and well-heeled residents, NJDOT would have 5+ lanes
instead of two. Street is at most a couple of feet wider than it
was when I walked the sidewalk as a first-grader. Traffic
includes interstate buses running into New York City. From a
traffic level, it makes Forest Hill look like a driveway.
On the part between Wimbish and
Vineville:
First, I would not do anything
until I updated traffic projects: 1) Montessori of Macon (100
students and teachers in/out each day) is trying to move out as fast as
they can to property off Wesleyan Drive; 2) Major shopping is moving
from Colonial Mall to Zebulon Road and Bass Pro area. Inaction is
sometimes the best course of action.
Second, Forest Hill problems
stem mainly from Vineville Avenue problems. Going east, drivers
use Ridge to get to Forest Hill because left-turn lane at Forest Hill
is too short. It needs to extend almost to Ridge on account
back-up of eastbound morning traffic funneling into one lane because
way GADOT laid out lane markings. Drivers also use Forest Hill
and Ridge to get to downtown and Riverside Drive on account of
Vineville Avenue delays. You can make Forest Hill 20 lanes wide
and it will not solve the problem (who has the traffic simulation
software?).
Third, and thinking
out-of-the-box, close-off intersection of Ridge and Forest Hill.
I think if you run a simulation on that along with expanding our
left-turn lanes at the Vineville -- Forest Hill interchange you might
get answers that would seriously frighten GADOT.
Fourth, Forest Hill is only a
problem for a couple of hours each business day. If Macon drivers
knew how to make left turns, part of the problem would even go away (I
learned to drive in metropolitan NYC area).
John L.
9-21-07 See more ideas from John here:  Schraalenburgh Road, Haworth, NJ. - images taken in October 2007 by JL. Email us your options and ideas
to - - Teeth@Mindspring.com
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