Friday, September 22, 2000
Friday, September 22, 2000 |
| City approves method
to handle traffic complaints
By JOHN MUNFORD Peachtree City now has a system to evaluate traffic complaints reported by residents. A resolution passed by the City Council Wednesday night provides statistics that will be used to determine if an intersection needs stop signs to slow down traffic or textured pavement to jar drivers to attention. The resolution also allows residents to vote on erecting stop signs at a particular intersection even if the city decides the signs aren't needed. In cases where the city decides not to erect stop signs, the signs could still go up with a petition signed by at least two-thirds of the property owners in the area who would be directly affected by the change. If the signs were approved by residents, they would be erected for 60 days, after which they could remain up if another petition is submitted with a simple majority of homeowners in favor of keeping the signs in place. The resolution also calls for all traffic complaints involving speeding to be forwarded to the Police Department. All complaints about high volumes of traffic would be sent to the city's Engineering Department. City engineer Troy Besseche also recommended that speed humps not speed bumps be studied by the city to control traffic flow in the near future. Besseche suggested that the city place speed humps, which are typically 14 to 22 feet long, at two recreation areas in Peachtree City before deciding to use them later on actual roadways. The city would study the volume of traffic and speed in the area before coming before council with a final recommendation at a later date, Besseche added. Gwinnett County has used speed humps in residential neighborhoods with great success, Besseche said. "They have been well received in neighborhoods there," Besseche noted. He added that the speed hump program in Gwinnett hasn't been challenged legally. But the state Department of Transportation has a policy not to fund the resurfacing of streets with speed humps, the engineer added.
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