The Georgia Department of Transportation is taking public comments through Monday on a proposed roundabout in Clarkesville.
The roundabout, if approved, would replace the four-way stop at the intersection of State Route 197 and State Route 385/State Route 17, about one mile south of downtown Clarkesville near the Ingle’s shopping center.
The proposed cost of the project is $4,635,479.22.
A roundabout feasibility study (RFS) was conducted of the intersection in August 2017 to determine the most appropriate type of intersection control to address the reported crash history at this location.
The RFS evaluated potential improvements to address the angle type collisions and included a potential roundabout and traffic signal at the primary stop-controlled intersection. The RFS recommended a single lane roundabout to eliminate the potential for angle type collisions and reduce the severity of crashes and improve operations at the intersection.
The Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety concurs that roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure because of their ability to substantially reduce angle type crashes that result in injury or loss of life, and reduce vehicular speeds through roundabouts thereby improving accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists to travel through the intersection.
Based on FHWA crash modification factors, converting the intersection from an All Way Stop to a single lane roundabout proposes to reduce the amount of injury/fatal crashes by 88%.
The proposed project would replace the existing stop-controlled intersection with a roundabout configuration for a project length of approximately 0.4 mile.
The roundabout would consist of an approximately 130-foot inscribed diameter, one 19-foot wide circulating lane, and a 23.5-foot wide truck apron with a 45-foot diameter grassed central island.
A curb and gutter will be installed along the outside of the roundabout with a mountable curb along the inside of the truck apron.
In addition, advance rumble strips will be placed at the begin and end of project along State Route 197.
The roadway approaches to the roundabout will consist of 12-foot travel lanes with curb and gutter and sidewalks along both sides.
The traffic signal at the intersection of US 411 and State Route 197, approximately 240 feet northwest of the proposed roundabout location, would also be removed.
Right-of-way and easements are anticipated to complete this project.
Comments can be left online at sr-197-sr-385-roundabout-0013882-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/.
– Staff reports