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Clifton
Corridor Transportation Initiative
Questions arose at the community meetings regarding several
operational and
visual characteristics of various train types, station
types, and crossings. In response, Ms. Alhadeff, has
provided the following pictures to give a visual
representation of many of these issues as requested by
attendees.
Station Design
Here are renderings of several station
types both at grade and below grade in Charlotte, Portland,
and Dallas. Note the absence or presence of parking,
location in street or off street, approximate scale and
footprint, relationship of buildings to the rail, and the
overhead power source for the light rail cars.
Click on the thumbnails to see the
larger images.
Crossings
Here are photographs of several crossing
types both pedestrian, vehicular and in combination. Note
how pedstrians often utilize the actual rail line for
walking when no train is physically present. In many
instances, no physical barriers exist which would impede
pedestrian flow. In other instances, physical to pedestrians
do exist except at designated crossings.
Noise
Here are two videos
from Minneapolis
which depict typical noise levels from both the rail car and
a crossing horn.
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SR-400/I-85 Connector Ramps
On Thursday, 26 February 2009 Georgia
Department of Transportation (GDOT) held its first Public Information
Open House (PIOH) regarding the proposed SR400/I-85 Connector Ramp
Project (P.I. no. 762380).
To view the project map outlining the
proposed alignment for the ramps click
HERE.
To view a copy of the
circulated PIOH documents distributed to attendees click
HERE.
According
to GDOT officials, the southbound SR 400 ramp which would connect to
northbound I-85 will lie approximately 70-80' from the rear property
lines for parcels located on the northeast segment of Lindridge Drive.
GDOT estimates that the height for this ramp will be 70' with a design
speed of 45 mph and will carry an estimated 16,000-18,000 cars/day upon
opening. GDOT does not anticipate the need to acquire any right of way
(ROW) in Lindridge Martin Manor. Construction will take approximately
two years.
This
project does have Federal Funding participation. As a result, GDOT will
be required to follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
NEPA requires a level of documentation
appropriate to the scope and impacts of
the project culminating in an approved environmental document. The
initial schedule with HNTB calls for this approval process to take
approximately 2 years. Right of way plans cannot be finalized nor can
right of way acquisition begin until after GDOT receives environmental
approval. For a more detailed project timeline click
HERE.
Perhaps
the most significant issue determining when right of way acquisition or
project construction will begin is funding.
Per GDOT
officials, this project will not qualify for Stimulus funding as it is
not "shovel ready". The
project is in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in the long range
category (2014-2020) and construction funding for the project is not listed in the transportation
improvement program (TIP). Projects appear on the TIP only after funding
is identified. The estimated cost listed for the project is $22.5
million (a 2004 estimate). GDOT does anticipate that Right of Way
funding will be necessary and acknowledges that these projected costs
will increase.
Be assured that the LLCC is working with the appropriate GDOT
officials, City of Atlanta officials, and elected officials to insure a
design that is consistent with the Comprehensive Transportation Plan of
the City of Atlanta, addresses the environmental and historic concerns
outlined in our position statement regarding this project, and is the
least disruptive to our community.
Click
the link below to see a YouTube video of the proposed ramps.
http://youtu.be/fbi_jVclZLM
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Potential
SR-400 Construction Impacts
The LLCC along
with the surrounding neighborhoods forwarded an official
response regarding the proposed SR-400 to Interstate 85 ramp
to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The key concern for the LLCC and surrounding
communities is enhanced pollution in the form of noise and
light as well as stormwater quality and quantity exacerbated
by the existing flooding issues of Peachtree Creek at the
proposed ramp location.
Additional concerns include the perceived lack of
communication from the Georgia DOT to the surrounding
neighborhoods, especially as it relates to the questionable
venue location (on Peachtree Road) for the GA 400 Public
Information Open House (PIOH).
No additional Public Information Open House (PIOH)
meetings have been set up as of yet but the LLCC and
neighborhood associations will be keeping watch and will
inform all stakeholders if and when additional meetings are
scheduled.
To review the official response from
the LLCC click
HERE.
Intersection Improvements
For several years there have been plans
available for intersection improvements at two locations on
Briarcliff Road. Public hearings were held on these
proposals two years ago. These plans have not moved forward
due to lack of funding. The files are rather large, so be patient while they download.
LaVista Road at Briarcliff Road (file size=15,036KB)
Clifton Road at
Briarcliff Road (file size=4946KB)
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