GDOT Moves Forward with Key Study Recommendations

May 2011

Nearly six years following TSW's completion of the Ponce de Leon Avenue Corridor Study, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is moving forward with two key recommendations emerging from the plan.

Beginning in early May 2011 GDOT crews will begin implementation of improvements to the Briarcliff Road/Moreland Avenue intersection with Ponce de Leon Avenue that were first identified as part of the TSW-led master planning effort. These include restriping and left turn signal enhancements to improve southbound traffic flow, along with new crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety. In keeping with the study recommendations, these improvements will be limited to the current right-of-way and will not adversely affect adjacent historic homes or trees.

In addition, the Department is moving forward on designing pedestrian safety improvements on Ponce de Leon Avenue between Piedmont Avenue and Moreland Avenue.  Proposed changes include converting an eastbound lane to a two-way left turn lane with median refuge islands and HAWK signals, which will make it much safer to cross Ponce de Leon at locations that are not controlled by traffic signals. Said upgrades are expected to greatly enhance pedestrian safety along this highly used corridor.

These two improvements, as well as recent street tree plantings and private redevelopment initiatives, represent significant steps in realizing the community-based vision that emerged from the 2005 planning effort.  

"GDOT's commitment to these projects represents a key milestone in achieving the community's vision for the Ponce de Leon Avenue corridor. TSW is very excited by the Department's willingness to consider and implement the context sensitive design solutions identified in the plan," says Caleb Racicot, who managed the Ponce de Leoon Avenue Corridor Study.