Traffic Light Coming for West Broad and King Avenue

Athens Clarke County Commissioners voted Tuesday night to request that the GDOT approve the installation of a traffic signal at King Avenue and West Broad Street. At their agenda setting session last month, it seemed that such a signal was a long way off and that businesses in the area would help pay for it..

In the past several months, Alps Road and West Broad have both seen increased development and traffic. Medical offices and restaurants have been built and traffic seems to have increased markedly. Commissioners said they were concerned for citizens' safety.

Commissioner Kathy Hoard said there have been 12 accidents with injuries over the past five years in that area. She said she would "err on the side of safety" and support having a signal for that intersection.

She said she wished "the entities" that were generating the traffic--such as Steak 'n Shake and various doctors' offices--would help pay for signalization. But since they weren't willing to do so, the county would have to foot the $70,000 bill in order to keep people safe.

Subscribe to the Athens Patch Newsletter, like us on Facebook,  follow Athens Patch on Twitter