By Paul Bolster
Longtime Ormewood Park resident Ken Boff saw the results of an accident at Bill Kennedy Way and the exit ramp from I-20. He’d seen similar evidence of crashes too many times, he said. “Unless we do something, someone is going to get killed here.”
Boff called Senator Nan Orrock; she called engineers from the Georgia Department of Transportation asking them to a meeting with the community and city officials. Boff also called Councilman Jason Winston, who brought Atlanta DOT officials to the meeting. Neighborhood representatives from SAND, Glenwood Park, and NPU-W were notified.
For two hours on February 27, community members shared their concerns. The agencies able to do something about the problem were all in the room at the former Kroger Bar. This was a chance to solve the problem.
Residents from Glenwood Park described the accidents they had seen. Everybody remembered the car that crashed into the living room of the town home across from the intersection. The problem was clear – cars came up the ramp off I-20 with too much speed. Drivers didn’t anticipate a dead end.
Some of the solutions being explored include a splitter island at the intersection, two green arrows instead of a green light, larger and more colorful signage on the approach, flashing warning lights, rumble strips, and a permanent barrier protecting the BeltLine.
Transportation officials agreed to report back to the community within 30 days. Participants left the meeting feeling significant progress was made, according to one community member.
Photo by Rob Downs
