Mixed reaction for lane closure pilot program at problematic Dunwoody intersection

A pilot program to close northbound traffic on Nandina Lane in Dunwoody starting on Oct. 14 has some commuters commending the plan and others condemning it.

The city announced the move as part of the new Dunwoody Road Safety Action Plan focused on pedestrian and driver safety on Nandina Lane, which has gone through several traffic pattern changes throughout the years.

For many years, Nandina Lane was used as a cut-through for southbound Mt. Vernon Road travelers wanting to avoid the traffic light at the corner of Mount Vernon and Chamblee Dunwoody. The left turn from Mt. Vernon Road was eliminated several years ago. However, the awkward configuration of the intersection of Nandina Lane, Mount Vernon, and Chamblee Dunwoody have caused traffic snarls and automobile and pedestrian accidents.

“Since 2017, a total of 51 crashes have been recorded at the intersection of Nandina and Mt. Vernon Road. Nine of those involved injuries, including a serious injury,” the city’s announcement said.

Starting the week of Oct. 14, the northbound direction on Nandina Lane between Mt. Vernon Road and the first driveway on Nandina Lane will be closed, according to the city. The rest of Nandina will remain open to two-way traffic. The city’s announcement did not indicate how long the lane would be closed.

While it is widely acknowledged to be a problematic intersection, some motorists are venting on social media that the closure is an even worse idea, with entrance to popular businesses like Primrose School of Dunwoody limited to only one ingress option that would force some travelers to make multiple turns.

While some condemn the experiment as “the worst idea the city has ever had,” others say that if drivers merely followed stated road rules, the intersection would not be an issue.

Moondog Growlers , however, located in a two-story shopping center complex on Nandina Lane, however, said it is taking a wait-and-see attitude to the pilot program.

“We trust the city and its professionals to study and do what’s best,” Moondog Growlers said in a statement to Rough Draft. “ We can’t second guess as we don’t have access to all that info and are not traffic professionals.”

“Our existing concern, however, about the number of wrecks and danger caused by southbound travelers on Chamblee Dunwoody who don’t yield as they merge onto Nandina [Lane] is heightened,” the statement continued.

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