Peachtree Corners: Mayor Focuses on Pedestrian Safety

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA — In Peachtree Corners' early days in the 1970s, the car was king and developers gave little thought to designs that were pedestrian friendly.

But that has changed in the 4 1/2 years since the city was incorporated, says Mayor Mike Mason.

In his monthly letter to constituents, Mason focused on work that's been done to improve pedestrian safety in Gwinnett County's largest city, and highlighted more projects that are on their way.

Most notably, the city has plans for an 11-mile multi-use trail — the first phase of which Mason said is due to be complete by late summer.

He also pointed to the city's work building new sidewalks. More than 20,000 feet of sidewalks have been added to the following streets since Peachtree Corners became a city:

• Buford Highway
• Crooked Creek Road
• Jay Bird Alley
• Technology Parkway
• Winters Chapel Road

Mason said there are currently plans for 11 more sidewalk projects in the city. They are:

• Corners Parkway
• Crooked Creek Road
• Frank Neely Road
• Holcomb Bridge Road
• Jay Bird Alley
• Peachtree Corners Circle multi-use trail
• Peachtree Corners Circle
• Spalding Drive
• Technology Parkway
• Technology Parkway South
• Winters Chapel Road

When complete, those projects will add nearly 32,000 feet of sidewalks in the city, Mason said.

In addition to sidewalks, two pedestrian crosswalks with flashing beacons are planned for 2017 in Peachtree Corners. They'll be on Winters Chapel Road near Winterbrook Court and East Jones Bridge Road near Rebel Ridge Court.

The city also is adding streetlights in many places.

"But the city’s pedestrian safety efforts can only go so far," Mason wrote. "All of us who drive a vehicle need to be aware of joggers, walkers, and children walking to school. Many pedestrian crashes are the result of unsafe motor vehicle driver and pedestrian behavior."

He urged drivers to keep basic tips in mind, like always yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk, taking care when making a right turn on a red light and coming to a complete stop at stop signs.

"Although much has been done in our 4 1/2 years, much remains to ensure pedestrian safety for "We’re determined to continue improving walkability throughout the city."

Photo courtesy City of Peachtree Corners