This section provides a description of the existing transportation infrastructure that will serve the proposed Destinations DRI. An inventory was performed of the lanes and method of control at the existing traffic facilities in the vicinity of the site. The availability of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities adjacent to the site was also reviewed. Figure 6, in the Existing Traffic Analysis section of this report, depicts the existing lanes and control for the intersections and roadways in the study network. The following is a brief description of each of these facilities.
3.1 Mall of Georgia Boulevard
Mall of Georgia Boulevard is a southwest-northeast boulevard that begins just west of Buford Drive and connects to Gravel Springs Road. The road has two through lanes in each direction and is divided by a grassed median. Exclusive left turn lanes are provided at all median breaks and exclusive right turn lanes are provided at most busier right turn movements. The road primarily serves retail shopping land uses including a large regional mall and multiple strip shopping centers. Closer to Gravel Springs Road, Mall of Georgia Boulevard provides access to government services (fire station, tag office), residential development, and undeveloped land. The terrain along Mall of Georgia Boulevard is gently rolling and the posted speed limit is 45 mph.
Photograph 1 shows a typical section along Mall of Georgia Boulevard, with this photograph taken facing east at Nature Center Parkway.
Photograph 1 – Mall of Georgia Boulevard Facing East at Nature Center Parkway
3.2 Woodward Crossing Boulevard
Woodward Crossing Boulevard is a median divided boulevard with a generally west-to-east orientation. It begins at Buford Drive and connects to Mall of Georgia Boulevard. There are exclusive left turn lanes at all median breaks and exclusive right turns at certain busier intersections. The road primarily serves retail shopping land uses including a large regional mall and multiple strip shopping centers, with the eastern end of the road lined with mostly undeveloped land. The terrain along Woodward Crossing Boulevard is gently rolling and the posted speed limit is 45 mph. Photograph 2 shows a typical section of Woodward Crossing Boulevard, with this photograph facing toward the east from the proximity of Crossing View Road.
Photograph 2 – Woodward Crossing Boulevard Facing East Near Crossing View Road
3.3 Buford Drive (SR 20)
Buford Drive (Georgia State Route 20) is a major arterial with a generally north-south orientation in the vicinity of the proposed development. The road has three through travel lanes in each direction with a landscaped median and exclusive turn lanes at major intersections. SR 20 has an interchange with Interstate 85 just south of Mall of Georgia Boulevard, and an interchange with Interstate 985 to the north. The development along the nearby section of SR 20 is primarily retail strip shopping centers and a regional mall. Residential land uses are located behind some of this retail frontage. The terrain along SR 20 is very gently rolling and the posted speed limit in the vicinity of the subject development is 45 mph. Photograph 3 is taken facing north along SR 20 at Mall of Georgia Boulevard.
Photograph 3 – SR 20 Facing North at Mall of Georgia Boulevard
3.4 Gravel Springs Road (SR 324)
Gravel Springs Road (Georgia State Route 324) is an east-west median divided highway that begins at SR 20 and continues across Interstate 85, to the southeast. There are two through travel lanes in each direction with exclusive left and right turn lanes provided at major intersections. Development along SR 324 is primarily residential, the terrain is gently rolling, and the posted speed limit is 45 mph. An interchange between SR 324 and Interstate 85 is programmed for the future, with an official completion date of 2024. More information about this interchange project is provided later in this report. Photograph 4 shows a typical section of SR 324, with this photograph facing west from Cedar Glade Lane, which is an access to a residential townhome development across from the terminus of Mall of Georgia Boulevard.
Photograph 4 – SR 324 Facing West from Cedar Glade Lane
3.5 Transit Service
Gwinnett County Transit operates bus service through portions of Gwinnett County, but there are no bus routes that travel in close proximity to the Destinations site. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) operates an express bus service, with Route 411 traveling from Buford Drive (and Hamilton Mill Road) to Midtown Atlanta.
3.6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
Sidewalks are located on both sides of Mall of Georgia Boulevard and Woodward Crossing Boulevard, as well as along both sides of Gravel Springs Road and Buford Drive. In addition, the proposed development site plan includes a pedestrian bridge across Ivy Creek from the project to the Mall of Georgia. Pedestrian signals and crosswalks are provided on most approaches at all of the signalized study intersections. Therefore, pedestrians are well accommodated in the vicinity of the project. That said, the developments in this area are suburban in character with large parking lots in front of most retail shopping and substantial distances between developments. Observations revealed minimal pedestrian activity during peak times and it is suspected that most pedestrian activity in the area is for recreation and exercise. There are no dedicated or shared striped bicycle lanes adjacent to the subject site.