VHB is helping the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) on a road widening project under construction that will enhance regional connectivity on State Route (SR) 42, stretching from SR 138 in Henry County to I-675 in Clayton County. This ambitious project, slated for completion in 2027, involves widening the existing two-lane arterial to four lanes with a raised median. It represents a significant initiative in implementing Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections along the corridor, a design aimed at improving both mobility and safety.
The widening project on SR 42/US 23 aims to enhance operational efficiency, decrease the frequency and severity of crashes, and alleviate congestion on a heavily travelled roadway for automobiles and freight trucks. The project also adds sidewalks and a shared-use path along a residential and commercial corridor with no previous existing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
VHB’s approach was driven by a comprehensive operational and safety analysis of alternatives.
The RCUT intersections feature dedicated left turn lanes on the mainline, channelized right-turn lanes on the side roads, separate median U-turn locations and pedestrian crosswalks. The design team developed an innovative design for the RCUT within a 20-foot-wide median, restricting wrong-way movements and allowing truck U-turns using loons. RCUTs decrease the number of conflict points where vehicles can intersect, thereby minimizing the risk of T-bone collisions. With fewer traffic signal phases and side street vehicles limited to right turns, drivers experience shorter stops and less frequent halts, leading to quicker travel times throughout the corridor.
This design has been effective nationwide, reducing severe accidents and enhancing traffic flow at intersections.
“The innovative RCUT approach was chosen to address the corridor's traffic challenges and improve the overall level of service,” said David Pickworth, PE, Transportation Engineering Manager. “By adopting the RCUT design, we are not only improving traffic flow but also enhancing connections across the region to help people and goods travel and arrive safely.”
The project also includes a strategic approach to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to support the enhancements, focusing on the corridor as a whole rather than individual outfalls. By including a subsurface drainage system to capture stormwater runoff from the widened roadway and discharging the runoff directly into the Panther Creek floodplain, the project has reduced stormwater flows to the existing outfalls along the 2.5-mile project.
VHB's approach to highway design and engineering is rooted in a deep understanding of the complexities of modern infrastructure needs. By integrating advanced design techniques and sustainable practices, VHB is not only addressing current transportation challenges but also anticipating future demands.
Reach out to project principal Tommy Crochet or project manager Josh Sofsky to learn more about highway and roadway design at VHB.
