“Virtual reality” flashback:

I wrote to The Citizen several times concerning the need for a traffic light at Ga. Highway 74 and Kelly Drive. It distressed me, at that time, to think that someone might lose their life before the light was installed. Unfortunately, a life was lost at that intersection, a resident of Griffin, and yes, a light was eventually installed.

Flash Forward:

Now, Mr. Ellis of Dames and Moore, shows the Planning Commission his “virtual” traffic demonstration where traffic will actually improve with the development of the Huddleston property for Home Depot and Wal-Mart. Did Mr. Ellis' demonstration show how one of the many businesses along Huddleston Drive might “virtually” disappear as a result of denying a left turn onto Huddleston Drive? Who cares about the small business owner, he is expendable, as we will all be “virtually” better off with a Home Depot and Wal-Mart nearby.

With the left turn at Huddleston Drive denied, is there any doubt that the cut-through traffic on Planterra Way from 7 a.m. — 5 p.m. will significantly increase? Surely, that would be the easiest way to access many of the businesses in the industrial area adjacent to Planterra Ridge. I'm starting to get distressed again.

Mr. Ellis, and those from the Home Depot staff, did your “virtual” model consider that a child playing in the Planterra Ridge subdivision might be a casualty of your traffic plan?

I know it's pretty easy to be removed from these issues if you don't reside in the area you are considering developing but try and plug that ramification into your computer model and see what it spits out.

It irks me that the people involved with the traffic study and with the development of Home Depot are assuming that the residents are wearing rose-colored glasses. The negative impact from traffic to the local businesses and the residents of Peachtree City, especially Planterra Ridge, is painfully obvious.

I just hope the City Council members don't wear their rose-colored glasses as they consider this issue.

Lastly, I find it pretty ironic that the name of Huddleston Drive has such a familiar ring to it. Where have I heard that name before?

Steve Wilson
Peachtree City

Back to Opinion Page | Back to the top of the page