Road diet possible for U.S. 278 in Avondale Estates

The state’s Department of Transportation has told Avondale Estates that it’s eligible for a road diet along U.S. 278 between Ashton Place and Sam’s Crossing.

This would mean cutting the current five lanes down to three (removing one east and one west bound lane) and having bike lanes in each direction. It would also mean wider sidewalks and more effective pedestrian crossings (with hawk lights), consistent with the city’s goal of connecting its commercial district with residential.

GDOT had previously rejected an identical plan in December 2015, saying it would slow traffic along a critical state corridor. In March 2016 the city devised a compromise plan with four lanes, but in December asked GDOT to re-examine the three-lane scenario.