Public Works News
City, State Partnerships Continue
The City of Sandy Springs and its Public Works Department is developing stronger bonds and partnerships with local utility companies and state and local agencies. The goal of these partnerships is to ensure progress of existing and development of future projects. The current collaboration consists of meetings discussing present and pending projects, coordination between the utility companies and discussion of rates and the potential use of energy efficient lighting throughout
the City.
Currently, the City has thirty-two Capital Improvement Projects in different phases of development and construction. One such project is the Johnson Ferry/Abernathy Road Widening. Construction began on one of the busiest east-west routes north of the Perimeter in 2008. The widening project is a joint effort between the City of Sandy Springs and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
The project is approximately 60 percent complete and is on schedule for a late 2012 completion date, weather permitting, according to GDOT. Work continues on the widening portion of Abernathy, with curbing scheduled to take place in early August. The major item of work presently scheduled is the superstructure of the new bridge. Concrete deck pours are taking place and the remaining sections of deck are projected to be complete the week of August 8, 2011, weather permitting. The next major traffic shift to the new bridge is projected to take place in late fall of 2011. After the traffic shift to the new bridge, refurbish work on the existing bridge will begin.
View project and traffic shift information on the Johnson Ferry/Abernathy Road widening at the City’s Website link http://www.sandyspringsga.org/City-Departments/Public-Works/Capital-Improvement-Projects/T-0001 or visit the GDOT Website at http://www.dot.ga.gov/informationcenter/activeprojects/StateRoute/johnsonferry/pages/milestones.aspx.
If you would like more information on the City of Sandy Springs or its Public Works Department, call the Citizen Response Center at 770-730-5600 or visit www.sandyspringsga.org.
Sandy Springs Welcomes New Director of Public Works
City of Sandy Springs, Public Works is under new management! New director, Kevin J. Walter, P.E., joins the City from URS Corp. but he recently served as the Newton County engineer for nine years. He was the senior technical official in charge of Public Works Infrastructure (bridges, roads, sidewalks, right-of-way, traffic controls, storm water conveyance and flooding controls, etc.) as well as commercial and residential land development engineering oversight and transportation planning.
In this position, Mr. Walter provided technical oversight to the 60-person public works and engineering departments with an $8 Million annual budget including general fund capital improvement monies. He managed the planning and execution contracts to build a new Public Works Maintenance Center and dozens of improvement projects in storm water, sidewalks, traffic signage and ROW maintenance.
Mr. Walter is a registered Professional Engineer in Georgia and three other states and has more than 35 years of civil and environmental engineering experience. His career has been equally split between government service and private sector work. He is a Navy veteran who served two combat tours of duty in Vietnam as Navigator of a Fast Frigate.
Proposed Roundabouts at Riverside Drive I-285 Ramps
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has an interest in developing a concept design for roundabouts at the ramps from I-285 at Riverside Drive. The GDOT approached the City of Sandy Springs Public Works staff in late February of 2011 about the City signing a letter of support for the proposed concept development for the project. This was triggered by the City’s submittal of an application to install a traffic signal at the westbound ramp. The letter of support outlines that the City is not currently opposed to the project and will be agreeable to paying for electricity for any new street lights at the interchange and would be willing to pay for any landscape maintenance due to landscaping installed with the design. From GDOT’s initial analysis there does not appear to be a need for any additional right-of-way, and the roundabouts result in a higher level of service for the overall interchange. Additionally, the roundabouts could be used as a gateway feature into the existing adjacent residential areas.
The GDOT plans to engage a roundabout expert to develop a concept once the City’s letter of support is received. The concept will be developed and then a Public Information Meeting will be coordinated by the GDOT. If public response is positive, the design process will move to the full plan development stage. As federal funds will be used for the design and construction of this concept, there will be no cost to the City. Currently, the overall design process is expected to take approximately 24 to 28 months once it has begun.
Diagram of Proposed Roundabouts' Locations
Sandy Springs Resident Thanks the Public Works Department
Christine,
I am writing to say thank you. The water main explosion on Friday was a true crisis for Ignatius House, as we had 30 women coming on a weekend retreat at 4:00 pm that day, but it was made easier by the way it was handled by the City of Sandy Springs.
I was happy to have a contact at Public Works I could call, and you were very helpful in giving me the details. Also, it was impressive how quickly Riverside Drive was opened--a huge success for Sandy Springs Public Works. The road closure affected very few of our retreatants, which was so greatly appreciated since this was the first women’s retreat with the completed culvert.
Certainly the lack of water was an issue Friday night & Saturday, but we were thankful that the City took the time to send a representative out to Ignatius House with bottles of water. It was a nice gesture to show that the City cares that we’re here. The water main explosion could have been an incredible disaster for Ignatius House, but the City of Sandy Springs really stepped up to make it as easy as they could. Thank you!
Kathy, Ignatius House