DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A dangerous stretch of road where drivers say they see accidents almost every day are getting a makeover.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is investing $1.6 million to improve safety conditions along 4 miles of Memorial Drive by removing the road's reversible lanes.
"Right now, you almost need to have training to drive Memorial Drive. It is not really safe unless you know what you’re doing," said Memorial Drive Corridor Executive Greg Giuffrida.
Channel 2's Lauren Pozen was out on Memorial Drive where signs were posted about the road work Sunday.
Kyle Caldwell says ever since he moved to Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood more than 20 years ago, Memorial Drive continues to be a problem.
"This road has just been really dangerous. Speeds routinely hit 50, 60, 70 miles an hour coming through this area," he said.
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The number of people killed in the four-mile stretch from Pearl Street to Candler Road is higher than the state average.
Starting Sunday night, GDOT crews will begin work to make it safer. GDOT says almost 40 percent of crashes in the area are caused by drivers turning left. So the plan is to get rid of the reversible lane and make it a turning lane.
"The reversible lanes provided commuters with added mobility, but increased traffic, speeds and crashes compelled GDOT, city and county transportation partners to review ways to improve driver and pedestrian safety along the corridor," GDOT said in a news release.
Work began Sunday night.
Cox Media Group
