Richmond Hill’s most congested and frustrating intersection may be getting more of a makeover than originally planned.
As work continues this week on extra left-turn lanes from Highway 17 onto 144, city officials are planning to propose an additional right-turn lane on Highway 144 at 17, according to city planning director Scott Allison.
“Our city engineer is studying the feasibility and impacts of re-striping the west-bound lanes on Highway 144 to add an extra right-turn lane at its intersection with Highway 17,” Allison said in an email. “Once we receive this feasibility analysis from the city engineer, we will discuss the traffic issue and possible alternatives in more depth with GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation).”
The firm of Thomas & Hutton serves as city engineer. Allison has said the city expects the firm’s work to be finished soon. The city will review the information before submitting it to the state, he said.
In the meantime, work continues on Highway 17 at 144 with crews working and night time lane closures set this week.
According to the DOT, temporary lane closures will be installed for the north and south inside lanes on Highway 17 at 144 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, weather permitting.
The lane closures are needed for the contractor to work on the inside lanes. Motorists should expect delays and be aware that personnel and equipment are being operated in close proximity to travel lanes.
DOT reminds that this is a work zone and extreme caution is necessary. Motorists are advised to reduce their speed as they travel through this and all work zones.
Message signs, barrels and/or cones will be utilized to alert the public of the coming changes.