Parkwood neighborhood traffic calming upgrade

Decatur, Dunwoody, Stone Mountain and others on Twitter: @dekalbnewsnow

The Parkwood neighborhood was annexed into Decatur six years ago this summer, and almost from the beginning residents have griped about cut-through traffic, speeding and large trucks.

It turns out the complaints are supported by metrics. The city commission last week approved Phase 1 of the Parkwood Neighborhood Traffic Calming Plan.

This will include 15 new speed tables (11 are replacements and four totally new) on East and West Parkwood Road, Upland Road and Parkwood Lane. It also includes six landscape medians or raised concrete medians (either 8 or 10 feet in width) at various entrances to the neighborhood, along with a tighter, reduced turning radius and narrower lanes at the East Lake/Parkwood intersection.

Estimated cost for Phase 1 is $250,000 and work could begin as soon as in several weeks, according to Assistant City Manager David Junger. Once the work starts, he added, it could take 60 to 90 days.

Phase 2 would include additional speed tables, lane narrowing and removal of the right turn slip lane at the East Lake Drive and East/West Parkwood intersection.

“To some degree the problem has always been there,” Junger said. “But I think our smartphone technology has made it worse. Cars cut through there going from [south Decatur] to the Emory and Druid Hills area. Delivery trucks cut through there to get to restaurants and [retail outlets].”

According to speed and volume data, 85% of the traffic on East and West Parkwood averages 31 and 28 mph respectively in a 25 mph zone. Though not high enough to ticket, the metrics nevertheless indicate most cars are speeding.

The city has identified that more than 1,000 cars daily on a residential street is considered too many. The recent studies show that East Parkwood has 3,765 vehicle trips per day, while West Parkwood has 2,856.

The traffic study also documented 23 Class 8, 9 or 10 trucks on neighborhood streets over a 48-hour period.

The Parkwood area totals 35 acres (including a 3.2-acre old growth forest) and 75 homes, most of them ranch-style constructions dating from the 1950s.