From Decatur City Commissioner Brian Smith and Mayor Patti Garrett….

Show Your Support for the New Crosswalk on South Candler Street!
DATES: Wednesday, May 25th & Thursday, May 26th
TIME: Approximately 7-8:30am

We need your help.  Come out for a morning walk or bike ride at the new crosswalk located at South Candler Street near East Davis Street this week to show your support for safe pedestrian crossings.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will be conducting pedestrian counts this Wednesday and Thursday morning at their new crosswalk located on South Candler Street near East Davis Street.  Based on their observations, they will determine what type of pedestrian signal to install.  GDOT hopes to collect this data before school lets out so that they can make the improvement before the fall.

Who’s Invited?
Folks of all ages are encouraged to get active on your way to school, work, or even just a morning stroll.  Walkers, cyclists, skaters, and even dogs can join in the fun.

Where Should I Walk?
Participants are asked to cross South Candler Street at East Davis Street, using the new crosswalk installed by GDOT this week.  GDOT officials will be on hand to conduct pedestrian counts.

Questions?
Contact Lena Stevens, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected] com>

UPDATE: South Candler has reopened according to DPD.

From Lt. Jennifer Ross…

Please share with readers that we are currently working an accident in the 500 block of South Candler Street.  Due to damage to a pole, the roadway will be closed until Georgia Power completes repairs.  Traffic is being detoured onto Midway Road, East Davis Street and Bucher Drive.  We will advise when the roadway is clear.

Streetview courtesy of Google

When you’re a major vehicle thoroughfare in a publicly stated “walkable” community, sooner or later area pedestrians are going to start asking more of you than just a straight lane and the occasional stop sign.

That’s true up on Scott Boulevard and it’s also true of South Candler Street (aka GA State Route 155) on the southside of the city.  Area residents are teaming up with the city, CSD and GDOT to show support for new crosswalks along the strip.

Asst. Director of Decatur Active Living Cheryl Burnette sends along the where/when/how to participate…

Come out and walk or bike on January 13^th to show support for proposed pedestrian crosswalks on South Candler Street.  The neighborhood is teaming up with the City of Decatur, City Schools of Decatur, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to organize a Big Walk from 7-9am on Wednesday January 13^th.

Who’s Invited?

We need your help to show that there is demand for more safe crossing options in this area.  Folks of all ages are encouraged to get active on your way to school, work, or even just a morning stroll.  Walkers, cyclists, skaters, and even dogs can join in the fun.

Where Should I Walk?

Participants are asked to cross South Candler Street at East Dougherty Street, Kirk Road, or East Pharr Road.  Feel unsafe?  No worries, Decatur Police and city staff will be on hand to keep things running smoothly.  GDOT officials will be on hand to conduct pedestrian counts.

Questions?

Contact Cheryl Burnette, [email protected] , 678-553-6541

South Candler photo courtesy of Google Streetview

Tonight, the Decatur City Commission will consider signing an agreement with CSX in the amount of $230,000 to pay for a critical piece of the long-discussed (we been talking about it since at LEAST 2009!) railroad crossing improvements at McDonough and Candler Streets.

According to a letter from Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon to the commission, this amount is related to the construction that will occur within the CSX right-of-way. CSX requires that it will install the new surfaces in the right of way at both crossings and review and approve all plans.

According to Mr. Saxon, CSX estimates the costs for this piece of the project as…

• Engineering and Construction Inspections – $37,000
• McDonough Crossing – Flagging and Construction – $96,500
• Candler Crossing – Flagging and Construction – $96,500

Check out the original plan for the Candler crossing above and the McDonough crossing below.   You can also find out more about these projects on the city’s website.

The City was awarded Transportation Enhancement project money for a large part of the total cost for these crossing improvements way back in 2008, but all the coordination with the many parties involved (CSX, GDOT, etc), destined it to be a long, drawn out process.  Could it finally be happening?