GDOT to add curve on Commerce Street, Macon Road, to enhance driver safety

PERRY – Perry citizens may be wondering about the construction happening from Commerce Street to Macon Road. The Georgia Department of Transportation is hoping to make it safer for travelers. 

Since Monday, July 28, quick response crews have been paving and re-striping the road to improve traffic flow and safety. Commerce Street is the start of State Route 11, while leaving Macon Road onto Swift Street is the start of State Route 127. 

According to GDOT, the Commerce Street and Macon Road intersection is controlled by a stop sign. However, the Macon Road approach is “free flow.” The State Route designation transitions from Macon Road to Commerce Street, but does not stay on Macon Road.

GDOT said they are going to make the non-state route approach to the intersection a “right-in” and “right-out.” This is intended to further improve intersection and network operations safely by removing vehicle turning conflicts. They said it will require rerouting of traffic through the surrounding road network.

GDOT assured driveways will not be removed or blocked by this project. According to the department, there is more traffic following the state route. Therefore, this adds turning to and from Commerce Street onto Macon Road rather than staying on Macon Road. 

They said their project is revising the prioritization at the intersection by adding a curve, which will make the Commerce Street to Macon Road a free-flow maneuver to the state routes. They will then put a stop sign on the Macon Road approach to the intersection. 

GDOT said this is primarily intended to improve operations, not just at the intersection but on the state route network in the general area, particularly by reducing queuing.

“We are going to be making the non-state route approach to the intersection a right-in [and] right-out with this project, which is intended to further improve intersection, network operations and safety by removing vehicle turning conflicts.”

So far, the process has been going smoothly, according to GDOT. They explained it was initially brought to their attention by Houston County a few years ago. The department said they studied multiple options for improvements. The city of Perry, Houston County and the state settled and agreed on the project because it is beneficial, deliverable and does not impact property and businesses.

GDOT believes this project will make it safer for drivers. They anticipate, with weather permitting, that construction will be completed within two weeks.

GDOT continues to advise motorists to expect delays, exercise caution and reduce their speed while traveling through work zones. To get real-time information on work status and traffic conditions, either call 511 or download the Georgia 511 app. People can also visit their website here.