Brookhaven, GA, August 10, 2017 – Opinion by Alan Walker – As a daily traveler through the “cluster” of an intersection at Ashford Dunwoody Rd. and Johnson Ferry Rd., I would like to say that all of the hullabaloo about the “disastrous affects” changing the traffic patterns on Donaldson Drive appears to have been just hot air. It has improved traffic flow and reduced congestion – as it was designed to do more than 10 years ago. Go figure.
I’m a City of Chamblee resident and have lived in the Sexton Woods area for more than 30 years and have traveled through this intersection twice daily – sometimes more. I was here before the DeKalb County Housing Authority introduced the Brookleigh project to upgrade the old Johnson Ferry East apartment complex that was built in 1948 (a project I opposed). So I’ve been here a day or two and have spoken my mind.
But, this time I may have been wrong. I said the Donaldson Drive traffic pattern change would not work and the City of Brookhaven should join the City of Chamblee in pushing back on this project that was required by a Development of Regional Impact Study more than 10 years ago by DeKalb County when the Brookleigh project was approved.
Yesterday, I left my Medical Center job at 5:00 as I normally do and came down Johnson Ferry Rd. There is normally traffic then. None. Believe it or not. Then, I turned left onto Ashford Dunwoody Rd. and drove up to I-285 and tried coming back on Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Once I got back to the area of Blackburn Park, I did find traffic backed up. But this time, instead of waiting four or five traffic light cycles to get through the intersection, it only took one.
So, it appears I was wrong. And while it is a minor inconvenience to go to Blair Circle to turn left so I can get home, the project does cut out a traffic light and just by doing that it has helped tremendously. At least at this point and it didn’t cost taxpayers any money so that’s a plus.
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15 Comments on "Early Verdict: Donaldson Drive traffic project in Brookhaven helps with rush hour congestion"
Thanks Alan for logically considering changes before reacting. I’ve also noticed an improvement after the light cycle at Donaldson was eliminated. Sending traffic through Blair is not ideal, but this change makes sense for traffic flow.
However, there are drivers doing crazy things at that intersection so either the signage should be more clear regarding right turn only and/or the BP police should be there to enforce it.
Completely agree! The amount of people making left turns and also going straight on AD is insane. The left turn signal still appearing is misleading and the signs leading up to the intersection say nothing about right turn ONLY – just right turn at signal. There should be police at the intersection directing traffic off Donaldson and stopping the people going left/straight, and also signage should appear at the Blair intersection saying to turn left there if a left at the light is needed.
Welcome to Brookhaven!
Well, one decent traffic experience and you have changed your religion! You make politicians so proud.
Please write back next month to see if the cure is indeed a miracle.
Due to the recent changes, the most inconvenienced route is from Donaldson to Ashford Dunwoody traveling south
Agree ESC, however, the majority of traffic going south on AD is ultimately heading to Peachtree Rd. With the change it makes more sense to turn left on JF from Blair. This route is faster most times of day than going right/left to AD. At least some drivers haven’t figured this out and some folks feel that going straight to AD is worth risking lives.
Yup! We’re not in any disagreement. The percentage of actual travelers that are more inconvenienced is very low compared to the number of total travelers through the intersection.. but that doesn’t make those that need to go down Windsor from Ashford Dunwoody or the additional minutes to get to Peachtree any less annoyed 🙂
I think anybody that is still trying to straight through to AD has just been confused with what is happening with the intersection vs actively aware of the risks they’re taking. The physical changes were made before putting up sufficient signage or communication, so they made the previously confusing intersection even more confusing.
I saw more signage this morning so hopefully it has helped.
The planning for this change was poorly thought out. See the sign “Amatuers at Work” posted anywhere?
Kudos to Alan Walker!! Imagine actually trying out something to see if it works!! Albert Einstein once said that “In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.” I was driving south on Donaldson yesterday, saw the revised intersection, took the first left, found a traffic light, and just followed Johnson Ferry right back to Ashford Dunwoody Road. Piece of cake!!
I wouldn’t shoot your wad too quickly. 100% of my usage of Donaldson has shifted to Keswick Dr so that street will be impacted heavily. One of the businesses at 5 points has lost 100% of my business as its too much of a pain to get in and out now.
It is so refreshing to see a positive article from the community. Alan, thank you for sharing your experience and demonstrating humility by admitting your initial opinion was incorrect.
Refreshing to hear from the Gwinnett County commuter who will benefit from this.
I’d like to see them have the traffic signal and signage allow left hand turns from Donaldson on to Ash-Dun and Johnson Ferry during non rush hour periods.
Kudos to stopping left hand turns into Cambridge Shopping Center during rush hour – that should be 24/7 as the better way to turn left in to Cambridge is to turn left onto Johnson Ferry where there is a dedicated lane and green arrow and then right into the shopping center.
Glad they apparently nixed the median in this area.
Unfortunately, nothing short of a concrete barrier is going to prevent some drivers from making illegal rush-hour turns at Cambridge or straight/left turns from Donaldson.
On a related note, how much time is actually being lost by Donaldson drivers by the changes? Google maps is not always right, but it indicates the average difference from making a left on JF to going straight on AD to Peachtree Rd is about 1 minute, at nearly every time of day.