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The Mount Vernon Woods Community Association first initiated a discussion about permanent traffic calming measures in the neighborhood in 1997. They began working with Sandy Springs Revitalization, Inc. and Fulton County on measures that would slow down the traffic in the neighborhood. After some initial planning efforts, a consultant was selected to develop a master plan and design a traffic calming system for the neighborhood. Altamira Design and Common Sense, Inc. began work in late January 1999 on the Mount Vernon Woods Master Plan, which calls for traffic calming traffic calming installations and Sandy Springs' first segment of multi-use-trail. The traffic calming devices -- including textured entrances, chicanes, a traffic circle and raised intersections -- are intended to slow cars by forcing both horizontal and vertical displacement. The designs for these devices are based on the Fulton County Department of Public Works Traffic Calming Program standards. In addition to the traffic calming devices, there are other improvements planned during this phase of the project. The neighborhood will be installing new signs at the major entrances on Abernathy Road and Mount Vernon Highway. Sandy Springs sign toppers, a project of Leadership Sandy Springs, will enhance community identity. With the support of District 4 Commissioner Tom Lowe, Fulton County has contributed $250,000 for the design and construction of this project. Sandy Springs Revitalization, Inc. is managing the construction phase of the project and is working with the MVW neighborhood association and the County to make the project both safe and attractive. The contractor, O.L.S.I./Patterned Concrete, began construction of the traffic calming improvements the first week of January 2002 and completed the work over twelve weeks. U. S. Lawns of Atlanta installed the landscaping in the chicanes and the traffic circle. Safety signs ("yield") and directional indicators will replace stop signs at the traffic circle, and additional safety signs will be installed at each chicane. The multi-use trail as envisioned in the Mount Vernon Woods Master Plan is not part of the current construction project. Residents anticipate taking up funding and design of the proposed trail as part of a future phase of neighborhood plan development. The intention is to connect the Sandy Springs Library, the Fulton County Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, the Mount Vernon Woods Community Club and the North Fulton Tennis Center, with a combination of on and off-road bike and pedestrian routes through the Mount Vernon Woods neighborhood. |