By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

Coordinating traffic lights as far north as Ga. Highway 279 with those in downtown Fayetteville won't have any great effect on traffic now, admitted city engineer Don Easterbrook.

But expanding the joint city/county traffic light synchronization project is a good way to prepare for the future, he said.

Easterbrook and Fayette County public works director Lee Hearn visited Georgia Department of Transportation officials recently to learn more about DOT's suggestion that the project be expanded, after the County Commission had told Easterbrook that they need more information before deciding whether to pay part of the cost.

Easterbrook said DOT and city consultants are suggesting they coordinate the lights on Ga. Highway 85 north all the way to Hwy. 279, and add lights along Ga. Highway 314 as well. That would increase the number of synchronized traffic lights from 11 to 21, increasing the cost of the project by about $70,000.

Lights are far apart in the area north of the city, but that won't last forever, Easterbrook said. As more traffic signals are erected between Fayetteville and the county line, it will become more critical to have the lights coordinated, he said. “This way, the infrastructure will already be in place,” he said. “It's best to do it all now rather than break it into three projects.”

Easterbrook recently told commissioners all he needs right now is $3,000 to match the city's cost to build an equipment list for the project, but commissioners said there's no reason to get an equipment list until they're sure they want to increase the scope of the plan. At least 14 of the 21 traffic lights to be coordinated would be within the city limits, said Easterbrook.

“We are compelled first and foremost to take care of the needs of the county,” said Commissioner Linda Wells, but Commissioner Glen Gosa said county residents use the roads as much as city residents do. “I want to cooperate with you,” he told Easterbrook.

Improved traffic flow and easier crossing for pedestrians is the goal of the plan. Commissioners want proof the expenditure will actually improve traffic flow.