GAINESVILLE – Georgia DOT District Engineer, Todd Long announces a quick response project at the intersection of State Route 53/Mundy Mill Rd and State Route 13/Atlanta Highway in the Blackshear Place community. Construction and lane closures will begin Monday, October 11, 2004.

“Weather permitting, work to build a new left turn lane from State Route 53 eastbound onto State Route 13 northbound will begin Monday morning,” Long explains. “The new left turn lane will allow us to restripe 53 and carry two lanes straight through the intersection towards Road Atlanta. This will ease congestion at the intersection by moving left turners out of the way and giving them a dedicated place to safely await their time to turn. Overall, it will help us to move more vehicles safely through the area.”

As weather permits, work will occur weekdays from 9am to 4pm and delays are expected in the area. The project will take approximately 4 weeks to complete.

“The new turn lane is 400 feet long at an estimated construction cost of $49,424,” noted Long. “Quick response projects are projects with a cost under $50,000 that will enhance safety. Other quick response projects in the area that we have completed are the extension of the left turn lane from State Route 60/Queen City Parkway onto Aviation Blvd and the extension of the left turn lane from US 129/Athens Highway onto Ridge Road. For road work $50,000 isn’t a lot of money but it can greatly impact the operation of a congested intersection.”

Delays are expected in the area. We urge you to use an alternate route and avoid the intersection of State Route 53 and State Route 13 at Blackshear Place throughout construction.

For traffic information on Georgia DOT projects, check out the Navigator web site at www.georgia-navigator.com.