Bypass signal gets DOT green light
But timeline depends on city road work
BY ANGELA GARY
There will apparently be a traffic signal at the intersection of Old Pendergrass Road and the Damon Gause Bypass.
Less than two weeks after saying “No” to a traffic light and blaming the number of wrecks at the intersection on speeding motorists, the Georgia Department of Transportation has changed its position and agreed to issue a permit for a traffic signal at the intersection.
DOT officials said that public concern led to the reversal of the earlier decision.
“Due to the outpouring of public concern, local elected officials worked with the DOT to develop additional plans for the intersection of Hwy. 129 and Old Pendergrass Road,” said Teri Pope, DOT district communication officer.
Jefferson city manager John Ward told the city council Monday night that the DOT had informed him earlier in the day about its tentative approval for the traffic light. But Ward said there is no timeline established for the project and several road improvements must be completed first.
“Once we meet all requirements, which do include the turn lanes off of Old Pendergrass Road, we will be awarded a permit for a traffic signal at the intersection,” Ward told the council. “We will work out the details with the DOT on funding.”
Ward said options include the DOT providing materials and the city providing the labor or the city using the state work crew for the labor.
Ward said city officials continued to pursue the matter even after the DOT denied its initial request.
“We’ve continued to work diligently with the DOT, with the assistance of our state representative, Tommy Benton, on this,” Ward said. “We’ve also worked with our district DOT office.”
Mayor Jim Joiner added: “I hope everybody understands that we don’t have jurisdiction at that intersection. The only thing we can do is make a request. They have their guidelines…We were doing everything we possibly, humanly could to get a traffic signal there.”
Joiner said the safety factor is likely what led to the DOT changing its position on the matter.
“They realize it is a safety hazard and school buses are crossing there,” he said. “That is probably the key that made them change their mind about a signal going there.”
