Concord Road improvements could begin in September 2012

Officials from Croy Engineering reported to Smyrna City Council that they expect improvements to Concord Road to begin by September 2012, but Corkey Welch, Smyrna’s Ward 4 council member, has offered a more conservative estimate.

“During the recent briefing we received from the city engineer, Croy Engingeering, they indicated to us that they anticipated beginning construction in September,” he said. “I am a little on the safe side and I’m reporting to everyone that I feel like it will be January of 2013, but engineers are saying September 2012.”

were approved and paid for with money from the 1-cent 2005 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and the 2011 SPLOST. The Concord Road Improvement project is actually two projects. Of the 2005 SPLOST money $3,335,000 has been designated for the Concord Road Trail/Streetscape project that will provide a multi-use trail on the north side of the road between Atlanta Road and South Cobb Drive. Of the 2011 SPLOST, $5,280,000 has been dedicated to the widening of the road plus the addition of a turn lane and a medians.

Before construction can begin the city still has to acquire one complete lot on the north side of the street, 955 Concord Road, and a handful of partial lots like easements and pieces of right-of-way on the south side.

The business located at 955 Concord Road is Travel Corner Incorporated. Eric Taylor, Smyrna’s city administrator, said the city is currently negotiating acquisition of the parcel with the property owner. 

Welch, who in addition to being a council member is the senior vice president of Stevenson and Palmer Engineering, estimated that the project should take about two years to complete. Once the improvements are finished the corridor should look familiar.

“Based on my understanding it will be very similar to Spring Road with the exception of the parallel park,” he said. “There’s not a plan at this point for the park along the north side. Not to say that there will not be one, but it is not part of the construction plans of this project.”

Keith Williams, Smyrna’s city engineer, explained the construction of the median will effect the way drivers use intersecting streets.

“Some of the roads the access will be changed because of the median; called right-ins/right-outs,” he said.

Once construction is complete:

• Brown Road and McLendon Avenue will intersect at Concord Road with a traffic signal.
• Evelyn Street and Ridgecrest Road will no longer meet Concord Road.
• Hollis Street and McCauley Road will retain full access with a new traffic signal.
• Concord Circle, Legion Drive, Hunter, Medlin, Love, Dunn and Lee streets will have right-in/right-out access.
• Dunton Street and King Springs Road will still intersect at a traffic signal.
• King Street will still intersect Concord Road with a traffic signal.