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Gwinnett to extend left turn lanes at major intersections

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County commuters could soon see some major relief at six bogged-down intersections.

The state is giving the county $600,000 to extend the left turn lanes at six major intersections along state roads. They're so-called quick fix projects. Transportation officials hope they'll provide quick congestion relief at some of the county's most congested intersections, "Especially during peak hours, where traffic tends to back up through the left turn lanes into the through lanes," said Kim Conroy, director of Gwinnett County's Transportation Department.

According to a county news release, left turn lanes will be extended on Buford Highway/State Route 13 southbound at South Lee Street, on Scenic Highway/State Route 124 northbound at Jackson Street, on Grayson Highway/State Route 20 northbound at Webb Gin House Road, on Lawrenceville Suwanee Road/State Route 317 northbound at Satellite Boulevard and on Beaver Ruin Road/State Route 378 eastbound on the west side of the Interstate 85 interchange.

The county will also install a new left turn lane on Buford Highway southbound at South Scales Road.

"It should reduce the number of cycles where they sit through and go through a number of green lights without moving," Conroy said.

Conroy said the state and county created the list based on engineers' observations and concerns from commuters. The county expects to let the projects out for bidding this summer. Officials hope the work will be done by the end of the year.