hr820.html
05 LC 14 9258
House Resolution 820
By: Representatives Buckner of the 76th, Sims of the 151st, Bryant of the 160th, Lakly of the 72nd, Yates of the 73rd, and others

A RESOLUTION

Urging the Georgia Department of Transportation, the City of Atlanta, and the Capitol Police Services Unit to conduct a study with respect to lane usage on Capitol Avenue; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, during peak morning traffic hours northbound traffic on Capitol Avenue between Interstate 20 and the state capitol moves extremely slowly, causing congestion throughout the capitol hill area and further affecting traffic on and vehicles attempting to exit from Interstate 20; and

WHEREAS, during these hours the three southbound lanes of Capitol Avenue are used only very lightly; and

WHEREAS, upon reaching the capitol and proceeding further northbound on Piedmont Avenue there are three or more northbound lanes at all times and Capitol Avenue thereby constitutes a choke point for northbound traffic; and

WHEREAS, it appears highly likely that the conversion of at least one southbound lane on Capitol Avenue to a northbound lane, either during morning peak traffic hours or permanently, could greatly improve traffic flow throughout the capitol hill area and on Interstate 20 without impacting safety or having other adverse effects; and

WHEREAS, there is ample precedent for converting direction of travel lanes on Capitol Avenue prior to Atlanta Braves games; and

WHEREAS, stalled traffic contributes to air pollution, causes lost workforce productivity, and erodes quality of life, and creative measures should be explored to reduce unnecessary traffic congestion.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body hereby requests the Georgia Department of Transportation, the City of Atlanta, and the Capitol Police Services Unit to conduct a study with respect to lane usage on Capitol Avenue and to make a written report of their findings to the Speaker of the House at the earliest practicable time.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Georgia Commissioner of Transportation, the Mayor of the City of Atlanta, and Commissioner of Public Safety.