County employees will conduct a ‘mini traffic study’ on the intersection at Langston Chapel and Lanier Drive in an effort to alleviate traffic issues exacerbated by another project down the road.
During the January 16, 2024 Bulloch County Commission meeting, commissioners discussed the placement of a roundabout or an all-way stop at the intersection which currently has a single stop sign for driver traveling on Lanier Drive toward Langston Chapel.
The item was an on the agenda for the meeting as follows:
Discussion of Langston Chapel Road at Lanier Drive Intersection to address current and upcoming traffic issues. Installation of round-about and detoured traffic merits discussion and possible future action to accommodate traffic temporarily during construction.
Commissioner Curt Deal said he’s been receiving calls regarding the traffic problems that are already building up because of construction at Harville Road and Langston Chapel. He said the problems are expected to worsen when the actual detour is put in place which will require alternate routes for drivers.
Deal mentioned people taking unsafe measures to get through the traffic, like driving off of the roadway and in the bank.
County employees said the detour will be limited to 90 days, per the contractor and it’s expected to be in effect in the summer. Until then, drivers will be driving around what is underway on the roadside.
County Engineer Brad Deal discussed a previous traffic study which suggested the the intersection be converted to an all-way stop. He said that would be a temporary solution for Lanier Drive, but could have negative impacts as well.
“It’s going to help Lanier Drive but it’s going to hurt Langston Chapel because traffic is going to back up. But it is something to consider,” he said.
Brad Deal also suggested having another study done by county employees and returning next month (February) with some options for commissioners to consider. “It’s just going to come down to what you prioritize,” Brad Deal said.
He also said the longterm plan is to convert Langston Chapel and Lanier Drive into a roundabout or a permanent all-way stop.
A motion was made to delay any action until the next meeting until a ‘mini-study’ is done.
