Collaborative Effort Improves Safety for Pedestrians, Bicycles and Vehicles
MACON – On Friday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m., College Street between Oglethorpe Street and Coleman Avenue will officially reopen. A celebration will be held at the corner of College and Oglethorpe streets by the newly completed roundabout, and guests will include Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert, Mercer University President Bill Underwood, Bibb County Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith, Commissioners Virgil Watkins and Rabbi Larry Schlesinger, and SPLOST Advisory Chairman Jeffery Monroe. Following the comments, the roundabout and roads leading to it will be reopened, and the president, mayor, superintendent and chairman will take the first laps around the roundabout.
The improvements include new sidewalks along Tattnall Square Park, road improvements, the roundabout at College and Oglethorpe streets, utility relocation, crosswalks, a new pedestrian crossing system near Alexander II Magnet School, new lighting and tree planting. This extensive road and safety improvement project is part of a larger effort by many organizations and people to improve the entire area, including the planting of trees, new tennis courts, new sidewalks in the park, a rain garden, new entrances into the park and more.
Follow these embedded links for a flier and video about safely driving through a roundabout, information about the new pedestrian HAWK system, as well as a map of the Alexander II Magnet School traffic pattern.
This project along College Street is a collaborative effort between Mercer University, Macon-Bibb County, Georgia Power, Cox Communications, the Macon Water Authority and AT&T. Primary funding for this project came from a Georgia Department of Transportation TE Grant, the Macon-Bibb Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, Mercer University and the Knight Foundation. Other partners are helping with the relocation of utilities.
Alexander II Magnet School Traffic Pattern
Traffic for drop off and dismissal at Alexander II Magnet School following the opening of the street and intersection will remain the same as it has been this school year. Cars will enter off of College Street and exit the parking lot by turning right onto Oglethorpe Street.
For parents who park and walk up to the school, they can use the parking lot in Tattnall Square Park along Oglethorpe Street. The Bibb County School District is encouraging parents who use this method to cross College Street at the tennis courts where the crossing guard will be stationed. This will provide for a safer crossing.
