[George W. Bush]

I can't tell you how many times I've inquired as to when PCHS will be getting a traffic light in front of the school. I called the school board and they referred me to the State DOT. I eventually got through to the DOT and they said there wasn't enough traffic into and out of that school to justify a light. So I suppose they'll wait till a carload of kids get creamed until they finally say ok.

There's a light on Hwy 381 in front of Allatoona High, why can't we get one on Hwy 61 in front of PCHS? Does any politician in Paulding have enough pull to get a light installed there? Why is Cobb so special?


Maybe Pubby can get to the bottom of things, our local elected officials sure can't!


Vent over (for now)!

[Tide Girl]

I agree with you ! I hate pulling out of that school , In either direction !!!!

[Garden Girl]

Cobb county does what needs to be done.

[mysterious]

.

This post has been edited by mysterious: 21 February 2012 - 05:27 PM

[markdavd]

Start by going to the appropriate party - the state. They are the one who will legally determine if a light is needed and the road improvements that will be required before a light can be put up. Let us know your progress when you do contact them.

If you spend your time only complaining on an internet message board or to any other party, without contacting the state, it tells us you really aren't serious about it.

[GeorgiaTornado]

Trying to get red light permits is like pulling teeth from GDOT right now.
Many more people have been killed at Nebo and 61 than in front of the high school... all they did there was a 4-way stop

[mysterious]

markdavd, on 21 February 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

Start by going to the appropriate party - the state. They are the one who will legally determine if a light is needed and the road improvements that will be required before a light can be put up. Let us know your progress when you do contact them.

If you spend your time only complaining on an internet message board or to any other party, without contacting the state, it tells us you really aren't serious about it.

I understand and respect what you are saying.
I know for a fact that the State was contacted many times.

[GeorgiaTornado]

You should call the guy on 11Alive... Commuter Dude

[feelip]

Can't be putting lights at a freakin high school. Gotta get those crossing lights at the Silver Comet Trail.

[momof 3]

Angel Eyes, on 21 February 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

I can't tell you how many times I've inquired as to when PCHS will be getting a traffic light in front of the school. I called the school board and they referred me to the State DOT. I eventually got through to the DOT and they said there wasn't enough traffic into and out of that school to justify a light. So I suppose they'll wait till a carload of kids get creamed until they finally say ok.

There's a light on Hwy 381 in front of Allatoona High, why can't we get one on Hwy 61 in front of PCHS? Does any politician in Paulding have enough pull to get a light installed there? Why is Cobb so special?


Maybe Pubby can get to the bottom of things, our local elected officials sure can't!


Vent over (for now)!

Allatoona is a Cobb County school. East Paulding has a light.

[markdavd]

momof 3, on 21 February 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

Allatoona is a Cobb County school. East Paulding has a light.

East Paulding is not a state route. Is Allatoona on one? If so, follow the same procedures to get one.

[Mrs G]

feelip, on 21 February 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

Can't be putting lights at a freakin high school. Gotta get those crossing lights at the Silver Comet Trail.

Now, THAT was S-T-U-P-I-D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People on the SCT can't even slow down for "their" STOP sign @ Seaboard, yes there is a stop sign on both sides, the Seaboard Rd side AND SCT SIDE!!! and then to put the lights up at Rosedale, was just a waste of money!!!!!! SCT users "don't" use the lights . Everytime we go by there, they (SCT useers) just go on through the intersection. This is a "real" sore subject with me!!! The SCT intersection at Seaboard, they have so many bushes, shrubbery and Magnolia trees blocking the view, it's just a matter of time before someone will get hit. I wonder whose bright idea this was????

[markdavd]

mysterious, on 21 February 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

I understand and respect what you are saying.
I know for a fact that the State was contacted many times.

They obviously haven't been contacted enough.

[GeorgiaTornado]

it don't matter how many times 'you' contact them. Hell everyone in New Georgia has contacted them about Nebo Road...

[feelip]

Mrs G, on 21 February 2012 - 05:53 PM, said:

Now, THAT was S-T-U-P-I-D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People on the SCT can't even slow down for "their" STOP sign @ Seaboard, yes there is a stop sign on both sides, the Seaboard Rd side AND SCT SIDE!!! and then to put the lights up at Rosedale, was just a waste of money!!!!!! SCT users "don't" use the lights . Everytime we go by there, they (SCT useers) just go on through the intersection. This is a "real" sore subject with me!!! The SCT intersection at Seaboard, they have so many bushes, shrubbery and Magnolia trees blocking the view, it's just a matter of time before someone will get hit. I wonder whose bright idea this was????

I saw a guy almost get hit at Rosedale. He went through the bushes and crashed. I bet it took the guy two days to pick the blackberry briars out of those Speedos.

[GeorgiaTornado]

oh the mental picture I just got

[Lucky64]

Angel Eyes, on 21 February 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

I can't tell you how many times I've inquired as to when PCHS will be getting a traffic light in front of the school. I called the school board and they referred me to the State DOT. I eventually got through to the DOT and they said there wasn't enough traffic into and out of that school to justify a light. So I suppose they'll wait till a carload of kids get creamed until they finally say ok.

There's a light on Hwy 381 in front of Allatoona High, why can't we get one on Hwy 61 in front of PCHS? Does any politician in Paulding have enough pull to get a light installed there? Why is Cobb so special?


Maybe Pubby can get to the bottom of things, our local elected officials sure can't!


Vent over (for now)!

I agree with you. I don't know how many times I've tried to turn in there and leave from PCHS and not get hit. 61 is very busy more so now then in the past years. We have one at EP, Hiram (even tho, they have a long road to that school) Harmony and Dabbs Bridge for NPHS, They have a 3 way stop for SPHS, So, what gives about PCHS? I hope you win this.

[gog8tors]

Finally a useful vent. I totally agree that there needs to be light at the school.

[Caped Crusader]

Angel Eyes, on 21 February 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

I can't tell you how many times I've inquired as to when PCHS will be getting a traffic light in front of the school. I called the school board and they referred me to the State DOT. I eventually got through to the DOT and they said there wasn't enough traffic into and out of that school to justify a light. So I suppose they'll wait till a carload of kids get creamed until they finally say ok.

There's a light on Hwy 381 in front of Allatoona High, why can't we get one on Hwy 61 in front of PCHS? Does any politician in Paulding have enough pull to get a light installed there? Why is Cobb so special?


Maybe Pubby can get to the bottom of things, our local elected officials sure can't!


Vent over (for now)!

did you request the stats for that location?

The reason I ask...
we fought long and hard for months to get the red light
in front of Walmart in Hiram.

Once those stats were presented... light was up in a couple of weeks.

[FreeBird]

Isn't there a deputy that directs traffic in front of the school during the busy times?

[Wineguy]

I know when I was in Highschool there in the late 90's one of my best friends was in a Serious wreck in front of the school. She was seriously injured, and her mother and sister were injured as well. That was 12 years ago and I have seen many others since then. I do not know what it would take, but it needs to happen. But like has been said on here, in the grand view of the state that is a very low traffic intersection, however it is a violent one when traffic is present.

[George W. Bush]

markdavd, on 21 February 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

Start by going to the appropriate party - the state. They are the one who will legally determine if a light is needed and the road improvements that will be required before a light can be put up. Let us know your progress when you do contact them.

If you spend your time only complaining on an internet message board or to any other party, without contacting the state, it tells us you really aren't serious about it.

Here's one of the replies I was given by the folks in charge who can get a light installed...... I have written SEVERAL letters and have contacted the local and state elected officials as well as the DOT, so to assume I'm only complaining on an internet message board was somewhat presumptuous! Don't you agree?



"We and the State have run several studies on this intersection but have
fallen short of meeting the requirements for a traffic signal or other
improvements. It seems obvious that something needs to be done but the
"standards" are getting in the way. We have fallen just under the
threshold based on pedestrian traffic, hours of congestion, delay
warrants and crash warrants...

Referring to the study Howard mentioned. We have just launched the most
comprehensive study ever tried. This will look at everything again and
will dig up data not found or used before. The school has grown in
population and so has the traffic on SR 61; therefore, I am hopeful we
will meet the threshold this time.

The results are due in a few months, then we will expedite whatever
project is recommended. If we come up with more than one option, we
would like some community input on the direction to take. We'll get back
with you on this and will need some participation."

[gog8tors]

Angel Eyes, on 23 February 2012 - 01:10 PM, said:

Here's one of the replies I was given by the folks in charge who can get a light installed...... I have written SEVERAL letters and have contacted the local and state elected officials as well as the DOT, so to assume I'm only complaining on an internet message board was somewhat presumptuous! Don't you agree?



"We and the State have run several studies on this intersection but have
fallen short of meeting the requirements for a traffic signal or other
improvements. It seems obvious that something needs to be done but the
"standards" are getting in the way. We have fallen just under the
threshold based on pedestrian traffic, hours of congestion, delay
warrants and crash warrants...

Referring to the study Howard mentioned. We have just launched the most
comprehensive study ever tried. This will look at everything again and
will dig up data not found or used before. The school has grown in
population and so has the traffic on SR 61; therefore, I am hopeful we
will meet the threshold this time.

The results are due in a few months, then we will expedite whatever
project is recommended. If we come up with more than one option, we
would like some community input on the direction to take. We'll get back
with you on this and will need some participation."

That sounds really good. Thank you for getting the ball rolling. Who can the rest of us contact to help keep the focus? I'm sure that if we as a community knew who to contact we could and would help you in this.

Please understand that we are used to you constantly complaining on the message board. So the presumption that this all you have done is understandable.

[Caped Crusader]

Angel Eyes, on 23 February 2012 - 01:10 PM, said:

Here's one of the replies I was given by the folks in charge who can get a light installed...... I have written SEVERAL letters and have contacted the local and state elected officials as well as the DOT, so to assume I'm only complaining on an internet message board was somewhat presumptuous! Don't you agree?



"We and the State have run several studies on this intersection but have
fallen short of meeting the requirements for a traffic signal or other
improvements. It seems obvious that something needs to be done but the
"standards" are getting in the way. We have fallen just under the
threshold based on pedestrian traffic, hours of congestion, delay
warrants and crash warrants...

Referring to the study Howard mentioned. We have just launched the most
comprehensive study ever tried. This will look at everything again and
will dig up data not found or used before. The school has grown in
population and so has the traffic on SR 61; therefore, I am hopeful we
will meet the threshold this time.

The results are due in a few months, then we will expedite whatever
project is recommended. If we come up with more than one option, we
would like some community input on the direction to take. We'll get back
with you on this and will need some participation."

I just sent you a PM to call me.

My number is below as well

[mysterious]

"We and the State have run several studies on this intersection but have
fallen short of meeting the requirements for a traffic signal or other
improvements. It seems obvious that something needs to be done but the
"standards" are getting in the way. We have fallen just under the
threshold based on pedestrian traffic, hours of congestion, delay
warrants and crash warrants...



So they are saying that if more kids walked they would install a light?

I think that maybe if a light was installed more kids would walk.

[Mrs G]

I heard and DO NOT qoute me, please. There *may* be a roundabout replacing the new 4 way stop on Hwy 61 @ Negotiations . I heard this will be in place, about two yrs from now. Lets just see "if" this thread will be around in two yrs.

[KRM]

So here is a question for ya... People have been B!T6HING about that intersection for years. New school in North Paulding and BAMMMMM!!! light is up. THe 4 way stop worked just fine for me. I hate that damned light. Question... WHO KNEW WHO TO GET THAT DAMNED LIGHT INSTALLED?

[Mrs G]

Someone must have neen brown nosing, someone else, huh? Or, who you know and who you blow, kind of situation.

[KRM]

Mrs G, on 23 February 2012 - 04:19 PM, said:

Someone must have neen brown nosing, someone else, huh? Or, who you know and who you blow, kind of situation.

YEPPER!

[George W. Bush]

We ALL need to keep writing letters and calling our local and state elected officials until they get a light installed. I've written to the school board, the county board of commissioners and I even wrote a letter to to speaker of the house.

Paula Braddock and Howard Maxwell have both responded. Senator Heath is checking on it... So please folks, keep writing letters and making phone calls. The traffic coming into and out of the school is very dangerous to put it nicely. Bottom line is elected leaders should listen to the voters and they will if enough folks write. It is true that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.... Folks who travel that road daily can tell you a light is needed there. Please keep on writing letters.

[George W. Bush]

Here are some of the local officials email address. Generally, they tend to respond to email much better than a phone call.
Please let them know a traffic light is needed in front of Paulding County High School. remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!



(DOT ) rep jana.brown@paulding.gov
state senator BillHeath@BillHeath.net
state rep Paulette.Braddock@house.ga.gov
state rep howard.maxwell@house.ga.gov
Local Commission commissioners@paulding.gov

School Board tcable@trc-lawfirm.com
PTaylor@paulding.k12.ga.us
joesjr@bellsouth.net
kimcurlrx@bellsouth.net
smymclr@bellsouth.net
michaelskelton1@bellsouth.net
kimberlycobb@bellsouth.net
nickchester@bellsouth.net
twlyons@paulding.k12.ga.us

[Veritas]

KRM, on 23 February 2012 - 04:01 PM, said:

So here is a question for ya... People have been B!T6HING about that intersection for years. New school in North Paulding and BAMMMMM!!! light is up. THe 4 way stop worked just fine for me. I hate that damned light. Question... WHO KNEW WHO TO GET THAT DAMNED LIGHT INSTALLED?

Could it have something to do with the fact that there are three schools there, rather than just one, creating much more traffic at certain hours?

[Tahoe]

Veritas, on 24 February 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

Could it have something to do with the fact that there are three schools there, rather than just one, creating much more traffic at certain hours?

This post has been edited by Tahoe: 24 February 2012 - 11:22 AM

[Mrs. Avalon]

Veritas, on 24 February 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

Could it have something to do with the fact that there are three schools there, rather than just one, creating much more traffic at certain hours?

I'm sure that does have something to do with it. However, the fact that there are three schools there does not change one iota the danger at the entrance at The PCHS for students, faculty, and parents. We take our lives into our hands every time we try to pull onto 61 from the school.

Angel Eyes, on 24 February 2012 - 08:58 AM, said:

Here are some of the local officials email address. Generally, they tend to respond to email much better than a phone call.
Please let them know a traffic light is needed in front of Paulding County High School. remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!



(DOT ) rep jana.brown@paulding.gov
state senator BillHeath@BillHeath.net
state rep Paulette.Braddock@house.ga.gov
state rep howard.maxwell@house.ga.gov
Local Commission commissioners@paulding.gov

School Board tcable@trc-lawfirm.com
PTaylor@paulding.k12.ga.us
joesjr@bellsouth.net
kimcurlrx@bellsouth.net
smymclr@bellsouth.net
michaelskelton1@bellsouth.net
kimberlycobb@bellsouth.net
nickchester@bellsouth.net
twlyons@paulding.k12.ga.us

Thank you for sharing these. I have emailed the whole list this morning.

[George W. Bush]

I got an email back from Todd Pownall, County Commissioner. He agreed a light is needed there in front of PCHS. Maybe he can put the arm on the folks at the DOT and get a light installed.

Keep sending letters folks. THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE

[KRM]

Veritas, on 24 February 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

Could it have something to do with the fact that there are three schools there, rather than just one, creating much more traffic at certain hours?

So, traffic is more important than lives? How many accidents happen at a 4 way stop? How many accidents happen at the HS? Just sayin'...

Mrs. G- Round a bouts are the best. They should have done that to begin with.

[Caped Crusader]

KRM, on 25 February 2012 - 11:34 AM, said:

So, traffic is more important than lives? How many accidents happen at a 4 way stop? How many accidents happen at the HS? Just sayin'...

Mrs. G- Round a bouts are the best. They should have done that to begin with.

according to the GSP there have been 11 accidents in the past year
and PCSO has been called out on 9 @ PCHS. I should have the STATE D.O.T. #'s in the next few days.
(I have requested the past 5 years)

[Veritas]

Mrs. Avalon, on 25 February 2012 - 09:46 AM, said:

I'm sure that does have something to do with it. However, the fact that there are three schools there does not change one iota the danger at the entrance at The PCHS for students, faculty, and parents. We take our lives into our hands every time we try to pull onto 61 from the school.

That may be true, and I do not dispute it, nor the value of human lives involved, but my comment was made in the context of the question of why there is a light near the North complex, and not outside of PCHS. When GDOT does a study to determine if a light is needed, it looks at data-driven factors such as traffic volume, road design, etc., and not sincere, but still somewhat emotional, pleas such as the above. Someone had suggested that there were folks at the North end who knew "the right people" and got a light, whereas people near PCHS apparently did not have the same connections. There are other, quite tangible, factors, including:

---traffic volume created by three large schools, two of which convene and dismiss only minutes apart
---the traffic light is not at the entrance to the North complex, but at the intersection of Dabbs Bridge and Harmony Grove Church Roads, a half-mile away
---the hilly design of that intersection makes for a very complicated approach. On HGC Road, one cannot see anything beyond the first car waiting at the light, due to the sudden drop-off of the road on both sides of the intersection. (Ridge Road may be in South Paulding, but Dabbs Bridge Road is far more of an actual ridge. Perhaps it could have been called Dabbs Ridge Road.)

Ironically, there have been quite a number of accidents near the entrance to the North complex itself, off HGC Road, resulting in the addition of four-way stop signs and traffic stanchions this past year.

There are traffic-monitoring devices placed near this intersection and near PCHS several times a year, so these situations are regularly reviewed. Again, I am not saying that lives are worth more in one place than the other, but a significant amount of study goes into both locations, and the circumstances, alas, are not identical.

I am surprised that more people are not asking why EPHS has a light on East Paulding Drive, since that is a more analagous situation to PCHS than is the North complex. Even so, the residential density there is still heavier than that around PCHS, especially due to the residential road directly across from the school, and the middle school that connects to the rear of the EPHS campus.

[LPPT]

Veritas, on 25 February 2012 - 12:21 PM, said:

That may be true, and I do not dispute it, nor the value of human lives involved, but my comment was made in the context of the question of why there is a light near the North complex, and not outside of PCHS. When GDOT does a study to determine if a light is needed, it looks at data-driven factors such as traffic volume, road design, etc., and not sincere, but still somewhat emotional, pleas such as the above. Someone had suggested that there were folks at the North end who knew "the right people" and got a light, whereas people near PCHS apparently did not have the same connections. There are other, quite tangible, factors, including:

---traffic volume created by three large schools, two of which convene and dismiss only minutes apart
---the traffic light is not at the entrance to the North complex, but at the intersection of Dabbs Bridge and Harmony Grove Church Roads, a half-mile away
---the hilly design of that intersection makes for a very complicated approach. On HGC Road, one cannot see anything beyond the first car waiting at the light, due to the sudden drop-off of the road on both sides of the intersection. (Ridge Road may be in South Paulding, but Dabbs Bridge Road is far more of an actual ridge. Perhaps it could have been called Dabbs Ridge Road.)

Ironically, there have been quite a number of accidents near the entrance to the North complex itself, off HGC Road, resulting in the addition of four-way stop signs and traffic stanchions this past year.

There are traffic-monitoring devices placed near this intersection and near PCHS several times a year, so these situations are regularly reviewed. Again, I am not saying that lives are worth more in one place than the other, but a significant amount of study goes into both locations, and the circumstances, alas, are not identical.

I am surprised that more people are not asking why EPHS has a light on East Paulding Drive, since that is a more analagous situation to PCHS than is the North complex. Even so, the residential density there is still heavier than that around PCHS, especially due to the residential road directly across from the school, and the middle school that connects to the rear of the EPHS campus.

As far as I know east Paulding and Dabbs Bridge are both county roads.
The county has its regulations and criteria when it comes to what they can and will do on county roads.
The state has different regulations, I am not sure if it is a matter of who will pay for the light, county or state or if it is a matter of what the state will allow the county to do.
I think that is the important issue here. If it is a matter of simply funding then applying pressure to local officials can work.
If it is a matter of state approval, then it will need to be addressed at the state level.

I talked to CC and question I had was the criteria for considering an accident at the HS. Does it have to be within 500-1000 feet on either side of the drive to be considered an accident at that location?

On the other hand if you consider how far the traffic back up is from the school, you may be able to include other accidents that that happen within the time frame of school traffic.

I don't believe the light at Dabbs bridge and Harmony grove had anything to do with any special favors, rather it was an issue of them being county roads.
Traffic was backing up nearly a mile on Harmony Grove every morning.
Many of the people caught in School traffic were trying to make right hand turns on to Dabbs bridge to go to work.

[Veritas]

LPPT, on 25 February 2012 - 12:41 PM, said:

As far as I know east Paulding and Dabbs Bridge are both county roads.
The county has its regulations and criteria when it comes to what they can and will do on county roads.
The state has different regulations, I am not sure if it is a matter of who will pay for the light, county or state or if it is a matter of what the state will allow the county to do.
I think that is the important issue here. If it is a matter of simply funding then applying pressure to local officials can work.
If it is a matter of state approval, then it will need to be addressed at the state level.

I talked to CC and question I had was the criteria for considering an accident at the HS. Does it have to be within 500-1000 feet on either side of the drive to be considered an accident at that location?

On the other hand if you consider how far the traffic back up is from the school, you may be able to include other accidents that that happen within the time frame of school traffic.

I don't believe the light at Dabbs bridge and Harmony grove had anything to do with any special favors, rather it was an issue of them being county roads.
Traffic was backing up nearly a mile on Harmony Grove every morning.
Many of the people caught in School traffic were trying to make right hand turns on to Dabbs bridge to go to work.

Good post. You are correct about state and county roads, and I should have made that distinction. GDOT has more complex criteria for the placement of a traffic signal.

Dabbs Bridge and HGC Roads are both county roads, but I believe that they are both designated "secondary roads," meaning that they are important connector arteries, and this may make the county's criteria for traffic signal placement a bit easier to come by. These are roads that are sometimes taken over by the state when new roadways and highways are designated. East Paulding Drive is also a secondary road, and was once upon a time designated as 92 connector and 120 connector. Hence its light may have also been easier to come by.

I don't know in Georgia what is the precise number of feet within an intersection that an accident may used for statistical purposes to "count" as an accident at the intersection. In another state with which I am familiar, the state DOT uses 1000 feet within a school intersection, so I can surmise that 1000 feet might be accurate here, as well.