The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peachtree Road faces slowdown
Adjusting roadside utility poles could last into next year.
T he commute along Peachtree Road just got longer and could stay that way into next year.
On Monday, the Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia Power began readjusting the placement of 100 utility poles from the curb to the back of the sidewalk along a stretch of popular road running from Midtown to Buckhead.
The poles sit along an 8-mile stretch that begins at the intersection of Peachtree Road and Spring Street and continues up Roswell Road to Windsor Parkway.
Crews began work about 9 a.m. near Spring Street.
Officials for GDOT and Georgia Power said work will take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day and is expected to last a year.
Georgia Power spokesman John Kraft said for safety reasons work couldn’t be completed at night.
“Teams have to be able to maintain a line of sight with live power line as they maneuver cranes and poles,” he told The Atlanta Jour- nal-Constitution.
Much of the work also sits in a large residential area.
“So, we wanted to be cognizant in terms of working overnight,” he said.
GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said the department and Georgia Power are splitting the $5.3 million cost of the project, which is part of the Georgia Power’s Clear Roadside Project ini- tiative created to enhance road safety.
Kraft said crews are work- ing to limit lane closures to avoid traffic delays but could not provide a specific time- line for when closures would be enforced.
“All work is weather-de- pendent,” Kraft said, adding there may be delays with the expected upcoming rainy days.
Road closures are expected on these streets in the coming months:
■ Peachtree Road between I-85 and Palisades Road.
■ Peachtree Road between Colonial Homes Drive and Peachtree Battle Avenue.
■ Peachtree Ro ad between Peachtree Park and Peachtree Valley Road.
■ Peachtree Road in the Collier Road area.
■ Roswell Road between Piedmont Road and Wind- sor Parkway.