Georgia DOT prepares to change traffic pattern at Jefferson County intersection
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Wrens, Ga. - The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is preparing to close the median of State Route 540/The Fall Line Freeway at State Route 296 as part of a project to construct a Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) at the intersection.
We anticipate starting construction of a concrete median on Tuesday, July 9. At that time, all vehicles travelling on SR 296 will no longer be able to turn left or go straight through the intersection. Additionally, vehicles travelling down SR 540 in either direction will temporarily be restricted from turning left onto SR 296. All vehicles will have an opportunity to access SR 296 by making a safe U-turn a short distance away utilizing extra pavement recently installed by the contractor. All vehicles can still turn right onto SR 296 from SR 540.
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Drivers should expect temporary lane closures near the intersection. Other RCUT construction items include signage and pavement markings. We anticipate construction will be complete by mid-July. All work is weather dependent.
When finished, the RCUT will prevent vehicles travelling on SR 296 from turning left or going straight through the intersection. All vehicles will turn right onto SR 540 with an opportunity to make a safe U-turn a short distance away. Vehicles travelling on SR 540 will be able to turn left onto either direction of SR 296 utilizing the newly installed concrete median.
A traffic safety study was completed due to the volume of crashes at this intersection. Georgia DOT's long-term intersection solution is a roundabout. While actively developing that concept for future implementation, the RCUT is a validated interim solution.
An RCUT design means drivers from SR 296 will no longer have to navigate the four-lane SR 540, which directly addresses higher speed angle collisions and should decrease the frequency and severity of potential crashes. Learn more here: https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/RCUT.aspx
Whenever you approach a work zone, please remember to slow down, allow extra distance between vehicles, read signs, and expect the unexpected.
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