SR 316 Corridor Study

Final Report

• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Data Collection
• Chapter 3: Existing Conditions
• Chapter 4: Future Conditions
• Chapter 5: Assessment of Strategies
• Chapter 6: Evaluation of Alternatives
• Chapter 7: Implementation
• Chapter 8: Public Involvement
• Appendix
• Executive Summary

Project Background & Description

As growth and development increases at a seemingly exponential pace along the State Route 316 corridor, the ability to improve the transportation facilities to provide for the safe and efficient mobility of the users is becoming more constrained. The Georgia DOT has identified a need to improve State Route 316 from I-85 in Gwinnett County, to the Athens Bypass in Oconee County. This will be done as part of a study of the State Route 316 Corridor's safety issues and problems. The consulting firm of PBS&J conducted the recently completed study for the Georgia DOT.

The study:

• Compiled existing data and analyze existing conditions on travel patterns, accident statistics, demographic information and safety issues along State Route 316, in addition to current and future land use and economic development growth;
• Addressed issues associated with the State Route 316 corridor, such as traffic demands, impacts of alternate transportation modes (rail, buses, etc.). It also considered access issues and potential improvements, including alternate interchange configurations, operational improvements, safety improvement, etc;
• Calculated future travel demands;
• Developed a preliminary set of alternative improvement scenarios (several different ideas of how the corridor can be improved). All scenarios to the public and Georgia DOT for review and comment;
  Based on comments received, a final set of improvement scenarios was developed;
• Developed preliminary design concepts for these scenarios;
  Evaluated scenarios using a variety of tests (traffic operations, safety, roadway geometry, land use, demographics, funding, etc.);
• Conducted several public information meetings geared towards receiving comments and suggestions from the community that could be affected by any change to State Route 316. Design changes were able to be made at this point based on comments from the public. In addition to the public information meetings, a web page on the study (including meetings dates, times and locations) was hosted on the Georgia DOT web site;
• Developed Corridor Master Plan. After public involvement stage, the plan contained both short-range (five years) and long-range (25 years) recommended improvements. These recommended improvements are prioritized based on safety and other issues, and submitted to the Georgia DOT for review and comment;
• Based on comments from the public and Georgia DOT, the plan was revised and the final version with full recommendations was completed; and
• Recommended and evaluate potential funding sources.