by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
Downtown traffic may see several changes soon, including reversible lanes for sports complex events and an upgraded control system for traffic lights.
City Council’s Finance Committee passed an ordinance appropriating about $4 million from several Public Works accounts for Downtown traffic projects Monday. The proposed projects would bring several traffic changes to Downtown if approved by the full Council Tuesday:
• Julia Street to reverse direction south of Beaver Street and become two-way from Beaver to State streets
• Pearl Street to become two-way from Forsyth to Adams streets and from Duval to Ashley streets
• Laura Street to become two-way from Monroe Street to Independent Drive
• Bay Street to become two-way from Newnan to Ocean streets
• Independent Drive to become two-way from Laura to Newnan streets.
The reversible lane system would place a horizontal grid of lights over several streets, including Bay, Adams and Duval. The adjustable grids would indicate which lanes are open for traffic, allowing for changes to one- or two-way direction depending on traffic. The system would reduce the number of cones and traffic police required for football games and other major Downtown events, according to Public Works spokeswoman Kortney Mosely – saving the City an estimated $150,000 a year.
An updated Intelligent Transportation System would mean fewer long waits at traffic lights, according to Public Works Director Joey Duncan. He said the current system doesn’t detect glitches. Most people don’t report problems unless they live in the neighborhood, Duncan said, so Public Works often doesn’t hear about Downtown light failures or others problems immediately.
The current system doesn’t account for certain traffic hold-ups, either. When the Main Street Bridge goes up, for example, Duncan said the streets are often clogged for 20 minutes.
“We keep growing. You have to have lights that are talking to each other in some way,” said Duncan. “The (new) system will send an e-mail ... Right now, we need people to tell us (when there’s a problem).”
The projects will make Downtown traffic move a little more quickly, according to Duncan. He said the changes are important to the revitalization of the area because visitors shouldn’t leave Downtown frustrated.
“You can’t get caught (at the light) 10 times on Union Street and not get angry,” said Duncan.
