Friday, Aug. 5, 2005

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No need to widen MacDuff Pkwy., traffic report says

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

MacDuff Parkway doesn’t need to be widened to four lanes after all, according to a study done by Peachtree City’s consulting traffic engineering firm, QK4.

The city had put the widening project on its list of projects for funding from the recently passed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for transportation projects. But now those funds, amounting to just more than $450,000, can go towards other SPLOST projects, said City Manager Bernie McMullen.

The initial plan was to widen the current length of MacDuff Parkway, not any proposed extension of the road, McMullen said. QK4 evaluated the concept, considering existing and future development planned for the area, and determined the widening wasn’t necessary, McMullen added.

Some residents in the MacDuff area have expressed concerns about the road widening in the past, but the major concern for most is the fact that MacDuff only links with Ga. Highway 54. In recent months, incidents on that stretch of the highway, including a gas leak and an auto accident that knocked out a traffic light, caused significant delays for residents who depend on MacDuff Parkway.

John Wieland Homes has proposed extending MacDuff Parkway all the way to Ga. Highway 74 at the intersection of Kedron Drive south as part of a 360-acre annexation. The road would have to cross the CSX railroad track, likely using an at-grade crossing.

The CIty Council will have the final say on the annexation at a later date.