Bolton Road / Moores Mill
Transportation Study
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Bolton / Moores Mill Transportation and Circulation Study Study Purpose Study Advisory Committee Gordon Kenna Karyn Hudson Ken Brown Scot Foerst Shadow Crew Heimer Jim Huffstetler Kenneth Lynch Patrick Jeffrey Jeff Burrell Preston Mason This plan was developed by ARCADIS/BPA with assistance from URS and in close coordination with the City of Atlanta and the community. We would like to acknowledge the following partners that helped develop this plan. City of Atlanta, City Council Felicia Moore, City Council District 9 City of Atlanta, Bureau of Planning Staff: Beverley Dickeray-Ojo, AICP, Director Flor Velarde, AICP, Principal Planner Jia Li, Urban Planner Bill Dunkley, Principal Planner Marty Sewell, AICP, Senior Planner Garnett Brown, Principal Planner City of Atlanta, Resource Team Harry Boxler, Bureau of Planning Michael Fleming, Bureau of Planning Mary McCracken, Department of Public Works Gregory H. Holder, Department of Public Works Brian McHugh, Department of Public Works Brandi Peck, Department of Public Works
 
 
The final recommendations fall into the following general categories and make up the Preferred Circulation Plan seen on the following page: Heavy vehicle/truck routing Traffic-calming strategies Localized intersection geometric improvements Study Process Engage the Community: Community participation consisted of an Advisory Committee, stakeholder interviews, and communitywide meetings. Establish Existing Conditions: Included the collection of traffic data, circulation patterns, planned growth, and the overall condition of the transportation network. Analyze Existing Conditions: Included an analysis of traffic volume by class and potential project constraints such as environmental issues, right-of-way, and funding. Development of Recommendations: Included the identification of candidate transportation projects and the selection of preferred improvements. Development of Final Plan: Included preparation of conceptual plans for priority projects with an action plan describing project limits, cost estimates, responsible parties, and potential funding sources. Industrial traffic circulation and 2002 LCI study goals Dedicated lanes for specific classes of traffic Interconnectivity of the transportation system The study’s recommendations entail maximizing the efficient use of the existing transportation network by reviewing transportation options identified in the 2002 LCI study and improving industrial traffic circulation, while also protecting other modes of transportation and transportation users. The study resulted in a detailed action plan supported by implementation measures and a capital improvement program, which represent a shared community vision defined through a participatory process and previous planning efforts. The goal of this study is to identify specific projects and actions necessary to implement the vision identified through the 2002 LCI study and other studies while addressing the transportation issues within the area. More specifically, this study identifies specific actions to provide the most appropriate transportation network by addressing the following: Study Results The City of Atlanta has undergone several planning processes for the Bolton/Moores Mill Road area, including the Northwest Framework Plan and the 2002 Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) study. While both of these studies provided a vision for future growth and guidelines to direct that growth, neither study addressed a key transportation issue – the relationship between industrial traffic and passenger vehicle traffic. In 2004, the community and the City of Atlanta initiated a new study, the Bolton Road/Moores Mill Road Transportation and Circulation Study, with this purpose in mind. Preferred Circulation Plan Intersection improvements are recommended for three main locations. Bolton Road at Marietta Boulevard Relocates Adams Road and Atlanta Water driveway Provides second southbound left-turn lane on Marietta Boulevard Extends Moores Mill Road and DeFoors Ferry Road to Marietta Boulevard Adds full length left-turn lane on Bolton Road extension Fully rehabilitates pavement Includes pedestrian traffic signals Bolton Road at Hollywood Boulevard Realigns Hollywood Road to perpendicular intersection with Bolton Road Existing alignment of Hollywood Road is treated with cul-de-sac (with pedestrian walk through) Includes new traffic signal with pedestrian features Fully rehabilitates pavement Bolton Road at Marietta Road Realigns Fisher Avenue at Bolton Road Extends Fisher Avenue to intersection with Bolton Road Includes new traffic signal with pedestrian features Fully rehabilitates pavement Heavy Vehicle Routing Route improvements along existing roadways, including Perry Boulevard and Marietta Boulevard, were determined to be the most effective approach to addressing heavy vehicle/truck traffic in the short term. The improvements target heavy vehicle trips generated by the Norfolk Southern Intermodal Terminal and redirect heavy vehicles south from the terminal, along Marietta Road to Marietta Boulevard and/or Perry Boulevard. Trucks accessing Marietta Boulevard would also be directed north to Atlanta Road. Implementation of this alternative includes updated signage and potential traffic signal upgrades (at the intersection of Perry Boulevard and Marietta Boulevard). The success of this approach is contingent on implementation of traffic calming along existing roadways used by heavy vehicles and coordination with the law enforcement community. In addition to the short-term improvements, two long-term circulation routes are recommended. These routes target heavy vehicle trips generated by the Norfolk Southern Intermodal Terminal and the various commercial properties located along the southern portion of Marietta Boulevard. The first long-term alternative includes a new roadway from Marietta Road to Bolton Road. The new roadway would cross over the railroad tracks and Hollywood Road. A new intersection would be created at James Jackson Parkway. This strategy will require cooperation with the law enforcement community to keep traffic out of residential areas. The second long-term strategy includes a new roadway from Marietta Road to Marietta Boulevard (a partial roadway exists) with a newly signalized intersection at Marietta Boulevard. This strategy’s success is contingent upon traffic-calming improvements in residential areas and the improvement of the intersection of Bolton Road and Marietta Boulevard. Traffic Calming Traffic-calming measures are recommended for the following corridors: Hollywood Road and Marietta Road Stop-controlled intersections Speed monitoring (digital displays and/or flashing beacons) Installations of chicanes Installation of center islands Bolton Road (study area) Speed monitoring (digital displays and/or flashing beacons) Installation of center islands Marietta Road Stop-controlled intersections Speed monitoring (digital displays and/or flashing beacons) Installations of chicanes Textured pavement in conjunction with intersection calming Adams Drive Stop-controlled intersections Speed monitoring (digital displays and/or flashing beacons) Installations of chicanes Textured pavement in conjunction with intersection calming
Working Partners Building on Previous Efforts This plan builds upon previous planning efforts the City of Atlanta has contributed to or undertaken. These efforts include: 2000 Northwest Framework Plan – http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citydir/DPCD/Bureau_of_ Planning/BOP/Plan_Study/Other_Plans/NW_Report.pdf 2002 Bolton Road/Moores Mill LCI – http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citydir/DPCD/Bureau_of_ Planning/BOP/Plan_Study/LCI/livable_centers_initiative. htm#Bolton/Moores%20Mill Northwest Connectivity Study – http://www.grta.org/nwcs/GRTA_Website/index2.htm Mobility 2030 – http://www.atlantaregional.com/transportationair/ mobility2030documentation.html The plan was developed for the City of Atlanta by ARCADIS/BPA in association with URS. It was directed by Jia Li, Urban Planner for the City of Atlanta. For additional information on this study, please contact Jia Li at 404-330-6961 or visit the project web site at: http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning.aspx Click on “Bureau of Planning,” then click on “Bolton/Moores Mill LCI -- Transportation/Circulation Study” http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citydir/DPCD/Bureau_of_ http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citydir/DPCD/Bureau_of_ http://www.grta.org/nwcs/GRTA_Website/index2.htm http://www.atlantaregional.com/transportationair/ http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning.aspx shapeimage_5_link_0shapeimage_5_link_1shapeimage_5_link_2shapeimage_5_link_3shapeimage_5_link_4