Peachtree Road Planners Return to Drawing Board

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Buckhead Community Improvement District (CID), and the Peachtree Task force are re-evaluating their plans to improve a stretch of Peachtree Road, BuckheadView reports.

A third open house to showcase the project to the public was originally scheduled for late July or early August, but has been shelved until 2015 while planners look at the best ways to address residents' concerns over the project.

The stated objective of the project is to improve safety and traffic flow along a stretch of Peachtree Road from Maple Drive to Deering Road, and to make the route more cyclist and pedestrian friendly.

Although GDOT would like to improve the pedestrian and cyclist's safety along Peachtree Road, the Buckhead CID said that any plans that did not improve traffic flow and traffic congestion were a "non-starter."

Buckhead residents, including an Atlanta City Council member, voiced concerns over segments of the plan that catered to cyclists and pedestrians over vehicle traffic.

Councilwoman Mary Norwood told BuckheadView she opposed plans to reduce the number of vehicle traffic lanes on Peachtree Road between Maple and Sheridan drives from six to four to allow for greater cyclist and pedestrian access. However, Norwood did see the benefit of adding left turn lanes along the stretch.

GDOT, Buckhead CID, and the Peachtree Task Force will update the public on the progress of the new plan, and expect to hold further public information sessions at the start of 2015.