Riverside Drive Roundabout Project Starts Feb. 1

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Sandy Springs, GA -- Weather permitting, the Georgia Department of Transportation on Monday will begin a safety enhancement project in Sandy Springs that will consist of installing roundabouts on Riverside Drive at Interstate 285.

Currently, the interchange consists of one 12-foot lane in both directions with no turn lanes and traffic signals at the entrance and exit ramps. The existing configuration causes vehicles to block traffic traveling through the intersection.

Georgia DOT’s contractor Baldwin Paving Company will build roundabouts at both ramp intersections of the Riverside Drive interchange.

The newly designed $5.6 million interchange will convert the existing signalized ramp intersections to single lane roundabouts. Two lanes will feed into the roundabout with one lane used to enter the roundabout and one lane used as a right turn lane. The project also includes sidewalks on both sides of Riverside Drive and bridge maintenance on the existing Riverside Drive Bridge over I-285.

“Crash data from 2008 through 2012 showed 73 crashes occurred at the Riverside Drive and I-285 intersection,” said Kathy Zahul, GDOT metro district engineer.” Sixteen of those crashes caused injuries. Roundabouts improve safety more than other types of intersections because speeds within the intersection are slower, giving drivers more time to react. There are also fewer conflict points, particularly for pedestrians.”

Construction will take place both day and night. However, lane closures will only take place during weeknights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and on the weekends from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.

One travel lane will remain open at all times, except during bridge maintenance work when all lanes in each direction will close and a detour will be in place. Motorists should exercise caution and slow down while driving through the work zone. Construction crews and equipment will be in close proximity to the roads.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in November.

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