Q&A on the News

Q: What is the purpose of the roadwork being done on Oakcliff Road in Doraville? —Jay Sikes, Atlanta

A: The roadwork is intended to make the area around Oakcliff Road safer for drivers and pedestrians, Rip Robertson, Doraville’s recreation, parks and public works director, told Q&A on the News via email.

“It was decided based on our traffic studies and upgrades to city streets that a streetscape and traffic-calming project was needed for this residential area,” Robertson wrote in an email.

The project, which began on May 15, will create new traffic islands and sidewalk upgrades for the area, as well as new landscaping, re-pavement and chicanes, which are a series of small curves or curb extensions intended to slow traffic.

The Oakcliff Road project cost $360,000 and should be finished in mid-August, Robertson wrote.

Q: With all the construction of new homes, offices and warehouses, the big population increase in the Atlanta area, electric cars and the hot humid weather, how close is Georgia Power to reaching its maximum output? — Ivan Halbreich, Sandy Springs

A: Georgia Power’s longterm Integrated Resource Plan, which it updates with the state’s Public Service Commission every three years, balances multiple elements, including expected economic and load growth, state and federal regulations, and its current and future generation mix, company spokesman John Kraft wrote in an email.

“Because of this constructive planning process, we’re able to stay ahead of increased demand and ensure that our generation ‘reserve margin’ is sufficient to meet customer needs 24 hours a day,” he wrote.