Project Description: Georgia Department of Transportation Public Information Open House Handout PI#(s): , County: Muscogee

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2 Why We Are Here: GDOT s Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) Office, the City of Columbus, and the project delivery team are here this evening to display and answer questions concerning the proposed roadway improvements to Cusseta Road, Old Cusseta Road, and the proposed Old Cusseta Road and I-185 Interchange. The purpose of the project is to improve the operations and safety of the roadway; support economic growth/competitiveness; and to improve the accessibility between the community and I-185. The project team is early in the design process and developed multiple interchange options. We would appreciate you taking the time tonight to provide feedback, specifically what you like and don t like about each alternative. Your feedback, along with the rest of the community s, will greatly assist us in identifying the best interchange alternative for your community. Project Description: Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road Improvements: The proposed project would start just to the east of the current Cusseta Road and Fort Benning Road intersection. The project would tie into the locally funded roundabout which the city is constructing to replace the current Cusseta Road and Fort Benning Road intersection. The roundabout is scheduled to be open to traffic prior to the start of construction for this proposed project. Cusseta Road is currently a two lane roadway with one lane in each direction (approximately 10 foot to 12 foot lanes). The proposed project would widen Cusseta Road to a three lane roadway one lane (11 foot to 12 foot lanes) in each direction separated by a 14 foot flush center turn lane (for left hand turns). A 5 foot sidewalk would be installed on the north side of the roadway with a 12 foot multi-use path (for walking and biking) on the south side of the roadway. The project proposes to replace the existing Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road intersection with a roundabout just to the southwest of its current location. Cusseta Road to the southeast of the proposed roundabout would be shifted slightly to the southwest to tie into the roundabout but the roadway would remain unchanged from its current condition outside of the project limits. A new driveway to the property being developed by the Muscogee County School District would be provided from the roundabout. From the proposed roundabout, Old Cusseta Road would be improved to a three lane roadway with one 11 foot to 12 foot lane in each direction separated by a 12 foot flush center turn lane. From the proposed Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road roundabout to approximately just east of the current location of Farr Road, the project proposes to construct a 12 foot multi-use path on the south side of the roadway. East of Farr Road to the end of the widening, the project proposes to construct a 5 foot sidewalk on the north side of the roadway and a 10 foot multi-use path on the south side of the roadway. The improvements to Old Cusseta Road would end at Antietam Drive. Old Cusseta Road and Interstate 185 (I-185) New Interchange: In addition to the roadway improvements to both Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road, the project proposes to construct a new interchange between Old Cusseta Road and I-185. At this time, a preferred interchange configuration has not been determined and five (5) interchange alternatives are being presented tonight. The alternatives are being evaluated based on their operations, environmental impacts, and impact to the community. At this time, five (5) alternatives are being presented tonight. Brief project descriptions, a picture of the proposed interchange configuration, and the pros/cons of each alternative can be found on the following pages. We would appreciate you taking the time tonight to provide input on each alternative. 2

3 To help in understanding each interchange, please refer to the following definitions: Full Diamond Interchange (Alt 3 & 5): Most common interchange configuration where the entrance and exit ramps are located in all four quadrants (ramps are typically fairly straight to the interstate). ¾ Diamond Interchange (Alt 1): Similar to a full diamond interchange except one set of entrance and exit ramps are combines into one quadrant, typically to avoid an impact. ½ Diamond Interchange (Alt 3): One set of entrance and exit ramps remain in a diamond configuration while the other set utilize some other design. Single-point Urban Interchange (SPUI) (Alt 4): A modified diamond interchange where its ramps meet at one point, in this case, under the existing I-185 bridge. This requires only one set of traffic signals. Alternative 1 (3/4 Diamond) Alternative 1 would include a roundabout at the NB entrance/exit ramps to I-185; construct the SB entrance and exit ramps in the northwest quadrant of Old Cusseta Road and I-185; and relocate Farr Road. Alternative Points - Avoids widening I-185 Bridge over Norfolk Southern (south of Old Cusseta Road) - Minimizes residential displacements east of I Displaces Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church - Displaces entirety of Park Village (mobile home neighborhood) Alternative 2 (Half-Diamond) Alternative 2 would utilize a traditional intersection for the northbound entrance and exit ramps; the southbound entrance and exit ramps would t-intersect into Allied Drive; and relocate Farr Road. Alternative Points - Avoids displacing most of Park Village (mobile home neighborhood) - Avoids widening I-185 Bridge over Norfolk Southern (south of Old Cusseta Road) - Displaces Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church - I-185 ramps tie into Allied Drive instead of Old Cusseta Road (may not be intuitive to driver expectation) 3

4 Alternative 3 (Full Diamond) Alternative 3 would relocate Farr Road further to the east Alternative Points: - Most common interchange configuration for driver expectation - Displaces Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church - Requires widening I-185 Bridge over Norfolk Southern (Increases cost) - Displaces significant portion of Park Village (mobile home facility) - Displaces additional business (SW Quadrant) Alternative 4 (Single Point Urban Interchange/SPUI) Alternative 4 would include a single signal underneath the current interstate bridge. Farr Road would be relocated further to the east. Alternative Points - Reduces delay by avoiding multiple intersection stops (one set of traffic signals) - Displaces Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church - Displaces part of Park Village Mobile Home Park - Displaces Industrial (occupied) building in SW quadrant -Non-traditional interchange Alternative 5 (Tight Diamond Interchange) Alternative 5 is a tight full diamond interchange. Farr Road would be relocated further to the east then its present location. Alternative Points: - Reduced ROW impacts/displacements - Displaces Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church - Minimal storage capacity under existing I-185 bridge for left turn movements onto I Requires widening I-185 Bridge over Norfolk Southern (Increases cost) 4

5 Muscogee County Probable Project Limits: 1 Cusseta Road an Rd 2 I-185 N 3 I-185 S Interstate Farr Road 5 Old Cusseta Road 4 1 Rufus St 2 Joy Rd Allied Dr Fort Benning Rd Farr Rd Proposed Interchange Location Bedford Ave Old Cusseta Rd Cusseta Rd 3 Schimek Dr Staunton Dr 5 Legend Project Survey Area Roads 0 1,100 2,200 3,300 Feet Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road Improvements & Old Cusseta Road and I-185 Interchange GDOT P.I. No Muscogee County, Georgia Project Location Map Fort Benning (out of view) ³ Date: Aug Scale: 1" = 1,100' Source: ESRI World Imagery

6 Please print responses. Name Address Comment Card Do you support the Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road Improvements? (Please check your response) For the Cusseta Road and Old Cusseta Road Improvements, please use the following space to let us know what you like and don t like about the roadway improvements. Do you support Interchange Alternative 1? (Please check your response) For Interchange 1, please use the following space to let us know what you like and don t like about this 6

7 Do you support Interchange Alternative 2? (Please check your response) For Interchange 2, please use the following space to let us know what you like and don t like about this Do you support Interchange Alternative 3? (Please check your response) For Interchange 3, please use the following space to let us know what you like and don t like about this 7

8 Do you support Interchange Alternative 4? (Please check your response) For Interchange 4, please use the following space to let us know what you like and don t like about this Do you support Interchange Alternative 5? (Please check your response) For Interchange 5, please use the following space to let us know what you like and don t like about this 8

9 How did you hear about this Open House? (check) Newspaper Signs GDOT Website Radio Word of Mouth Social Media Other Was the location of the Open House convenient for you to attend? Yes No If no, please suggest a general location that is more convenient to your community. Was the time of the meeting convenient for you to attend? Yes No If no, please suggest a time frame that is more convenient for you. Were your questions answered by GDOT personnel? Yes No Do you understand the project after attending this meeting? Yes No Please share your suggestions on improving the ways GDOT conducts Open Houses: Mail to: Mr. Eric Duff, State Environmental Administrator Georgia Department of Transportation 600 West Peachtree Street, NW 16 th Floor Atlanta, Georgia