Wanamaker construction worries many drivers
6:04 p.m. Sunday, September 7, 2008
For two months Wanamaker between 17th and Huntoon will be down to one lane for a major overhaul. Road crews are putting in a median blocking off the center lane from 17th to Winding Road, which is the I-470 intersection. There will be no detours during the construction project.
Weekend traffic filled Wanamaker, and drivers say traffic on this road is a hassle.
"The traffic sometimes is pretty bad, so to actually hear that their will be construction going on is going to be very awful," said Aliuwa Unoke, a driver on Wanamaker.
Unoke says he will cope by not driving on Wanamaker and finding an alternative route.
There have been three accidents here two roll-overs, just this year. The city is hoping to eliminate that problem by putting a median straight through the intersection.
Despite the hassle, some drivers think the construction will be worth it.
"Two months that is a while, but how many lives, and wrecks, and just all kind of things it will save," said Roshawn Mosley, who drives Wanamaker daily.
But others think the median won't help.
"It may eliminate the wreck or the problem with traffic right here, but it's going to put the problem someplace else down the road," said Ray Murdock, adding he's in favor of re-paving the road.
Mosley says he uses Wanamaker almost every day and is used to the busy street.
"I don't mind it, I just have to deal with it. I mean what can I say, I just have to eat it and swallow it," Mosley said.
Four lanes of traffic will be condensed down to just two during the project, so it might take a little more time to get where you need to go.
But the city hopes in the end it will save lives. The project is scheduled to be complete by November 7. If not, the construction company will be docked $600 a day, unless the delay is weather-related.
Related story: City plans to tear up busy stretch of Wanamaker for public's safety
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)