Some residents concerned cycle track project will cause traffic headache in Decatur

DECATUR, Ga. — The goal of a new project is to make Decatur more bike- and walker-friendly, but some residents think the new cycle track will only cause more problems.

The cycle track will go along Church Street next to Glenlake Park.

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Channel 2′s Audrey Washington spoke to people on both sides of the issue.

The stretch of Church Street near the track construction always had four lanes of traffic. This project will permanently reduce it to two lanes of traffic, and some people said it will make this area a congested nightmare.

Joanna Vale is no fan of the construction site just steps away from her front door.

“I think they’re creating another problem by wanting to solve one,” she said.

She, along with several of her neighbors, are against the new cycle track project.

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Crews will build the cycle track along both sides of busy church street. When completed, the cycle tracks will be extend from Commerce to Forkner Drive.

Blaine Hale supports the idea despite some traffic concerns.

“As far as traffic goes, I’ve lived here for five years and traffic has never been enough to warrant four lanes, so it’s great for me,” he said.

Paul Foster rides his bike around the neighborhood almost every day and also gave the project a thumbs-up.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said. “Gives a good community feel though, the whole thing brings the community together.”

Vale said that, in addition to traffic, she also worries about parking. She said the plan will erase all street parking near Glenlake Park.

“There’s already limited parking in that park,” she said.

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Some people in the neighborhood told Washington the reduction of four lanes of traffic to two lanes of traffic could actually slow down traffic in this area and make it safer.

The project is slated to be complete in 2023.

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