City of Dunwoody officials sent me the following information in response to a question from an Aha! subscriber about changes to the Mt. Vernon/Nandina Intersection:
“The Mt. Vernon Road – Nandina Lane intersection is being modified to a “Right-turn-in/Right-turn-out only” configuration and once completed, drivers will no longer have the option to make left turns off Mt. Vernon onto Nandina. This change is designed to address safety of drivers as well as pedestrians at this section of road.
Left turns in and out of roads, businesses or developments are generally the most problematic movements for drivers. Increased traffic volume over the past five-plus years, coupled with a condensed left turn lane distance approaching the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Chamblee Dunwoody, have raised safety issues for drivers along Mt. Vernon Rd. (both east and westbound). One way to address safety impacts is to eliminate left turns and restrict access to a “Right-turn-in/Right-turn-out only” configuration. Turning restrictions are particularly important when the access points are relatively close to existing intersections, as Nandina Lane is to Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.
The improvement should also help address safer pedestrian crossings by offering a refuge island at Nandina Lane and reduce points of conflict for crossing pedestrians through the elimination of left turns.
