Peachtree Corners Working To Beat Traffic

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA -- In the 3 1/2 years since it was formed, Peachtree Corners has seen its share of commercial and residential growth, with more on the way.

But the "city by the river" is hoping to avoid a pitfall that rapid growth has brought to other parts of Gwinnett County in the past: out-of-control traffic.

"Traffic was already a problem when the city was formed," said Mayor Mike Mason in a news release. "Now that we are a city, we wanted to develop a long-range plan to address the issues."

Last week, Peachtree Corners launched a Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The plan is designed to provide the city with a road map that will be used for the next 20 years to ensure the community's traffic needs are met.

Town hall meetings, open houses and online surveys are planned to let the public weigh in on what's important to them.

The plan will address current traffic concerns as well as future ones, like the new 20-acre Town Center development due to open in the fall of 2017. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

But a priority list is already beginning to fall into place. Below is a list of traffic issues that Peachtree Corners leaders say they are already addressing, or planning to address:

• Working with Gwinnett County to widen Peachtree Parkway southbound between Holcomb Bridge Road and the on ramp to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. This project should be under construction by this summer.

• Evaluating a roundabout for Peachtree Corners Circle at Medlock Bridge Road to improve safety at this busy intersection.

• Working with Gwinnett County on plans to widen Spalding Drive at Crooked Creek.
• Studying innovative solutions for Peachtree Parkway intersections at Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners Circle, Forum Drive and Medlock Bridge Road.
• Analyzing traffic and making recommendations for future improvements along Spalding Drive, Winters Chapel Road and Peachtree Corners Circle.
• Partnering with the City of Johns Creek to determine future project needs for capacity and intersection improvements to increase safety and reduce congestion.