Woodstock Revisits Downtown Traffic Congestion

The city of Woodstock is once again revisiting its long-standing plans to improve traffic flow in its central business district.

On Monday, the Woodstock City Council heard an update from representatives of Ross Consulting Services on the first phase of the Towne Lake Parkway/Arnold Mill Road widening project.

The first phase would install a left-hand turn lane Towne Lake Parkway eastbound from Woodstock Parkway to Main Street and the extend the westbound left-hand turn lane on Arnold Mill Road. 

However, new figures released Monday by the consultants show that may not be the best option. 

Rather than install the left-turn lane, the consultant recommends the city install a traffic signal on Towne Lake Parkway at Mill Street; convert Mill Street to a two-way thoroughfare and install a northbound left-turn lane leading to Mill Street from Main Street; and install an additional westbound lane on Arnold Mill Road that would continue onto Towne Lake Parkway. 

Geoff Warr of Ross Consulting Engineers, P.C. informed the council and city staff that the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Main Street experiences moderate delays during the morning peak hour — 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. — and significant delays during the evening peak hour — 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

During the morning hours, the Towne Lake Parkway/Main Street intersection routinely reaches its capacity to move vehicles through the intersection. Southbound and eastbound traffic flow experience the most critical delays.

The consultants also noted its difficult for drivers coming from stop-controlled side streets such as Oak and Fowler streets to find gaps when turning onto main Street.

For the evening, the intersection exceeds its capacity to keep traffic moving at a consistent pace, with northbound and westbound traffic experiencing the worst of the delays. As with the morning hours, it's also difficult for motorists on those side streets to find gaps when attempting to turn on Main Street.

If the city were to move forward with the current first phase of the project, it would not cut down on the amount of time cars are waiting to move through traffic lights. The latest proposal would also encourage motorists to utilize the city's grid network on the westside of Main Street.

The city council directed city staff to schedule a work session some time in August to further discuss the matter.

The council also approved rezoning request for 5.9 acres on the northwest corner of Neese Road and Highway 92. Duluth-based Beverly J. Searles Foundation petitioned the city to rezone the property from single-family and general commercial to senior living to develop a 125-unit congregate care senior housing facility.

The property would be developed at 25 units per acre.

Council members also approved the second reading of an amendment to its ordinance pertaining to the use or possession of firearms, explosives or weapons that would put the city in compliance with Georgia's sweeping gun law. 

The amendment reads: "unauthorized use or possession of a firearm, explosives or weapons in city buildings property or when conducting city business" as causes for disciplinary actions towards city employees.