North Chase Street in Athens is set for significant improvements. This vital north-south route is undergoing a transformation to enhance safety, accessibility, and traffic flow for everyone. The North Chase Street Corridor Improvement Project is addressing key areas to create a better experience for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
Project Overview
The core objective of this project is to modernize the North Chase Street corridor, making it safer and more user-friendly for all modes of transportation. Funded in part by a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the project focuses on easing congestion, calming traffic, and developing new infrastructure for bicycles and pedestrians. These improvements are designed to create a low-stress and comfortable environment for all who use Chase Street.
Key Improvements
Several key upgrades are planned for Chase Street. Pedestrians will benefit from new ADA-accessible sidewalks on both sides of Chase Street between Newton Bridge Parkway and Oneta Street. This crucial addition will significantly improve pedestrian connectivity, especially for those traveling between Newton Bridge Parkway and Chase Street Elementary School. To improve traffic flow, single-lane roundabouts will be installed at the Oneta Street intersection and at the SR10 Loop interchange with Chase Street. These roundabouts are designed to efficiently manage traffic, including heavy trucks, while enhancing safety. Further pedestrian enhancements are planned at the Barber Street / Newton Bridge Parkway intersection, linking the Chase Street sidewalks to the future Barber Street multiuse path. Traffic calming measures include raised curbs over the existing railroad bridge to reduce speeds and increase safety. Additionally, the westbound Rowe Road approach will be converted to a right-in/right-out movement with truck aprons to better manage vehicular and large truck traffic, further contributing to a calmer and safer Chase Street environment.
Project History
The North Chase Street project has been in development for over a decade. Approved in the SPLOST 2011 program, a corridor study in 2017-2018 laid the groundwork for the current improvements, prioritizing bicycle and pedestrian enhancements as outlined in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (AiM). The TAP grant award in 2019, totaling $1 million, provided crucial funding to move the project forward from planning to implementation. Preliminary design work began in 2020, and concept approval from GDOT was received in April 2023. Additional funding for the preliminary engineering phase was authorized by USDOT/FHWA in January 2024, demonstrating continued progress and commitment to this important Athens infrastructure project that aims to enhance the Chase Street corridor.
Conclusion
The North Chase Street Corridor Improvement Project represents a significant investment in Athens’ infrastructure. By focusing on multimodal improvements, this project aims to create a safer, more accessible, and efficient transportation corridor for the community for years to come, ensuring that Chase Street effectively serves the needs of all users.
