(Dawsonville, GA.) – Monday, May 15, 2017 at 10 p.m. the first Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) in Georgia located at State Route 400 and State Route 53 will begin operation.
“We are doing the traffic shift at a non-peak time for safety. This will allow Georgia DOT staff and contractors to be in the lanes removing barrels, and checking on the aspects of the intersection with minimal traffic impacts.” Said District Engineer Brent Cook, P.E.
Drivers will still see barrels and cones around work zone areas near the intersection, but those are expected to be cleared by the middle of June 2017.
A Continuous Flow Intersection, or CFI, reduces conflict points and allows more “green time” at the intersection by removing the SR 400 northbound/southbound left turn phase from the main SR 400/SR 53 intersection.
Drivers will encounter new “cross over lanes”. These lanes will guide drivers intending to make a left turn, across SR 400 and then to separated left turn lanes where a traffic signal will allow left turns onto SR 53 east or westbound.
State Route 400 north and southbound will get a green light at the same time as the left turn lanes onto SR 53 east and westbound get a green light. This flow of the initial left turn cross over movement and through traffic together is where the “continuous” originates. State Route 53 left turners will still have a left turn lane and left turn arrow at the main intersection.
The CFI’s innovated design is a great cost saver. The capacity of this type of intersection rivals a full interstate style interchange. This also leaves a smaller impact to the area as there are no ramps or overpasses constructed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What if the power goes out? There is battery back up at this intersection in the case of power outages.
- What if there is a crash at this intersection? Georiga DOT has coordinated with Dawson County Emergency response and have a plan in place to help expedite the removal of vehicles and anyone injured.
- Why was an interchange not built here? Georgia DOT’s Public Outreach meetings revealed that an interchange was not a favored option by the community.
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