According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), intersections are planned points of conflict in any roadway system. These conflict points are created when people, some in motor vehicles, others walking or biking, cross paths as they travel through or turn from one route to another. According to FHWA, over the last several years, an average of one quarter of traffic fatalities and roughly half of all traffic injuries occur at intersections. These safety issues may be caused by numerous factors which may include but are not limited to distracted driving, sight distance, limited capacity, and other operational considerations. The City actively seeks to identify locations for possible improvements which may range from simple changes to signs or markings to geometric improvements to help improve safety at our intersections. This year’s project proposes improvements at the two signalized intersections of Sweetwater Blvd/Lexington Blvd and Easton Rd/US 90.

In March 2015, the Traffic Engineering and Operations Division completed an arterial crash analysis study, which included Austin Parkway, First Colony Blvd, Lexington Blvd, Sweetwater Blvd, and Williams Trace Blvd. This study identified seven crashes in a median opening just north of the signalized intersection of Sweetwater/Lexington Blvd. The busy median opening serves a retail center which includes a Kroger and a Walgreens. During peak hours, the southbound queue exceeded the left turn lane length and blocks the through lanes and median opening. The crashes were related to northbound left turning vehicles from the median cutting through gaps in the southbound left turn queue. The study recommended adding a second southbound left turn bay and adding an additional 200 feet of storage. This modification will not only help move approximately 415 vehicles in the PM peak (4500+ veh/day) but more importantly allow vehicles using the median to have better gaps in traffic to reach the retail center. The proposed improvements would remove 8, possibly 9, trees that belong to FCCA. FCCA is aware of the removal and has no objections to the removal of the trees.

Over the last couple of years, the Public Works Department has received multiple concerns regarding the median on Easton Ave, just south of US 90. The primary concern reported driver’s views being obstructed while attempting to turn left out of nearby retail center that serves a daycare along with numerous shops. Vehicles coming off US 90 southbound on Easton Ave are lost behind 4 Magnolia trees and other vegetation. The proposed improvements would relocate the 4 trees within Telfair and remove the median. This will not only address the sight distance concerns but help improve operations of the existing dual left turn by extending it 120 feet. Residents also reported some motorists attempting triple left turns onto US 90 at the intersection. Staff has been coordinating this improvement with the Telfair Home Owners Association and the existing Magnolia trees will be transplanted to another location within the Telfair subdivision.

On February 28, 2018 and March 7, 2018, the City published an Invitation to Bid for construction services towards the Sweetwater Southbound Double Left Turn at Lexington and the Easton Median Removal at US 90A construction projects. On March 15, 2018, there were 6 bids opened with Cedros Paving Service, LLC being the low bidder at a total bid of $115,357.75.

Funding for the project is available through the Operations and Maintenance budget. Pending City Council approval, construction should begin within thirty days of the contract award.

The Public Works Department recommends that the City Council authorize the contract with Cedros Paving Service, LLC in the amount of $115,357.75 for the construction of the southbound Sweetwater Boulevard double left turn lanes at Lexington Boulevard and the Easton Avenue median removal at US 90A projects with O&M funds.