Transportation
Transportation can include roadway widening and extensions, but also includes traffic impact studies, streetscape projects, traffic signal warrant studies and traffic signal design plus unique intersection design to include roundabouts and RCUTS.
- Roundabouts have become the solution to minimizing conflict at intersections. Typically roundabouts are circular but can be elliptical or many different shapes to fit into the existing right of way. Each has its own design challenges but have proven to be safe traffic calming methods of minimizing conflict at intersections.
- RCUTs are another intersection design that minimizes traffic conflict at intersections and improves safety. The RCUT with its limited movements improves safety and can usually fit within the existing right of way.
- Simonton Engineering is a LAP trained firm and certified for plan preparation in accordance with the Plan development Process (PDP). The firm is prequalified by the Georgia Department of transportation in the following areas.
- Area Class 3.01 – Two-lane or multi-lane rural generally free access highway design.
- Area Class 3.02 – Two-Lane or multi-lane road with curb and gutter generally free access highway design including storm sewer.
- Area Class 3.08 – Landscape architecture
- Area Class 3.13 – Facilities for Bicycle and pedestrians
Case Studies:
Problem: Greene County was rapidly developing around Lake Oconee. The county transportation system was adequate for north-south travel using mostly Georgia Department of Transportation routes. The primary east-west route through the county is I-20 which did not serve well as an arterial or collector route. As development was occurring on the west side of Lake Oconee, emergency services experienced significant delay in providing services.
Solution: To provide an east-west route across the county, we worked with the County Manager to establish the route, connect with existing north-south routes and plan the system in multiple phases. Our scope included assisting the county with right of way acquisition, surveying of the route, design of the roadway and bridges, bidding, permitting and construction administration.
Problem: With the completion of the Richland Connector and the Veazey Connector, the East-West connector in Greene County was complete. The next task was to complete some connectors that would provide access from the populated areas to the arterial roadway. The communities on the east side of Lake Oconee were all interconnected but did not have arterial level access to the major traffic corridors.
Solution: Find the best route to connect the arterial roadway to the most communities to make access easier. Working with the county manager, we located a route that accomplished the goal with the least environmental impacts. The resulting roadway was the Liberty Connector.
Problem: The City of Hinesville is the home of Fort Stewart. When entering the city on the main North/South corridor, U.S. Hwy 84, there was no direct and easy access to the Fort Stewart main gate. Memorial Drive had served as the main entry to Fort. Stewart from the city in years past but did not connect to Hwy 84 and the area had become unsightly.
Solution: With a little imagination acquisition Washington Avenue could connect to Memorial Drive for a direct connection to the main entry into FortStewart. Complete the alignment then expand the roadways to two lanes with a landscape median, include pedestrian friendly walks and multi-use facilities, then light it really well. In addition, include a traffic roundabout to achieve traffic calming and you have completed the corridor. That was our task, we completed it and now the upscale development is following.
Problem: Fort Stewart has limited access from four gates on the south side. The second most popular gate into Fort Stewart was the Veterans Parkway gate. That gate was serviced by a two-lane rural section roadway. During peak periods, traffic would back up for at least a mile, which hindered traffic going into Fort Stewart and the neighborhoods adjacent to Fort. Stewart.
Solution: The City of Hinesville entered into an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Fort Stewart to be the lead agency in solving the problem. GDOT provided funding for construction, but the city had to fund the special studies, design, and right of way acquisition. Our scope included providing a subcontractor to complete the special studies, provide survey data, and complete design and plan preparation in accordance with GDOT guidelines for bidding. This was accomplished in two phases to accommodate federal funding.