Signalized Pedestrian Crossing Installed At Saddle Creek Drive

ROSWELL, GA — The City of Roswell will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 11 to celebrate the completion of a new pedestrian crossing for the Saddle Creek Subdivision at the Ga. 140 (Houze Road) at the Saddle Creek Drive intersection. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend the ceremony, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. Street parking is available at 831 Rounsaville Road.

The new signalized intersection was necessary for safety along Houze Road, which carries approximately 16,000 vehicles per day, making crossing difficult.

The scope of the project included a raised median island and crosswalk with signalized beacons to more aggressively alert motorists to the presence of pedestrians. The crossing utilizes the latest Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB), which are the same type of warning signals installed at the new roundabout at Hembree Road, about one quarter mile south of Saddle Creek Drive

The RRFB is a pedestrian-activated warning device located on each side of a pedestrian crossing. It works in the following way:

• The beacon remains "dark" until a pedestrian wanting to cross the street pushes a button to activate the beacon.
• When the button is pushed, alternating flashing patterns illuminate to alert drivers that a pedestrian is present and is attempting to cross the roadway. Per Georgia State Law, vehicles must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• After pedestrians have safely crossed and are no longer in the crosswalk, vehicles may resume a safe speed, and the beacons will automatically shut off.

The cost for this City-funded safety improvement is approximately $329,000, which included the new crosswalk, flashing RRFB beacons, and minor road widening to accommodate the eight-foot wide pedestrian refuge island. The project also included a new trail connection to nearby Rounsaville Road, allowing more bicycle and pedestrian accessibility.