Villa Rica city officials have called on a surveyor to nail down what easements need to be acquired in order to have the Georgia Department of Transportation build a mini-roundabout at the intersection of Highway 61- Dallas Highway and Punkintown Road.
Approximately 2 years ago, then City Manager, David Milliron requested that GDOT evaluate whether a traffic signal would be appropriate in the area to alleviate traffic clogs. The state agency found that the traffic flow through the intersection was not appropriate for a light.
Current City Manager, Tom Barber ,this week, said the plans are ready; now the city is ready to pursue the project.
“GDOT has already designed a roundabout for Punkintown and 61. They can build it through their quick response program,” said Barber to the Villa Rica City Council. “The thing that is missing is the easements. We have engaged a surveyor to nail down exactly what easements have to be acquired. We are going to have some utility relocations and even though GDOT is going to do the construction, we are going to have some expense on our end moving some water lines.”
Traffic engineers estimated that the change could reduce northbound delays on Highway 61 by 68%, while southbound drivers could see their delays reduced by 63%, according to a GDOT survey released when the project was first discussed two years ago.
