Project Statement

This project will provide for capital improvements to the Lexington Road Corridor. Depending upon actual costs and funding availability, improvements may include, but are not limited to: additional sidewalks, multiuse trails, separated bike lanes, landscaped medians, intersection improvements, lighting and/or other safety improvements along the corridor and connecting streets. 

This project is a continuation of the TSPLOST 2018 Project 14: Lexington Road Corridor Improvements Project. To the extent allowed by law, budgeted project funds may be used as matching funds for leveraging grant opportunities. 

Additionally, to the extent allowed by law, other funding sources, including, but not limited to, grants, may be utilized to offset and/or reduce the project budget. Any unspent project funds that accrue as a result of the receipt of grants or other funding sources may be assigned to other approved TSPLOST projects.

Project Update

Mayor & Commission will consider the TSPLOST 2023 Project 02 – Lexington Road Corridor Improvements project during their regularly scheduled meetings on August 20, 2024 (Agenda Setting meeting) and on September 3, 2024 (Voting meeting).

The TSPLOST  2023 Project 02 – Lexington Road Corridor Improvements Project Concept identifies various Sub-Projects to provide better and safer pedestrian/bicycle connectivity along Lexington Road. Our stake holder group reviewed previous reports and studies developed over the past decade as well as on site visits to observe traffic patterns.

The recommend Sub-Projects and their descriptions are noted below and visually shown on the accompanying concept graphic.

PROJECT 200: Provides for the extension of the sidewalk along the north side of Lexington Road from the recently completed Atlas Way/Lexington Road intersection to the west connecting to the sidewalk currently being built by the GDOT Lexington Road/Loop 10 interchange project just east of Winterville Road.  This 0.8 mile sidewalk extension provides a safer off road pedestrian connection to the adjacent neighborhoods and businesses along the heavily traveled Lexington Road. Sidewalk connectivity also provides better access to existing transit services stops along the route.

PROJECT 201: Provides for the installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon (pedestrian red light) near the intersections Hughes Street or Mabry Drive intersections with Lexington Road to provide safer pedestrian crossing opportunities for the adjacent neighborhoods and businesses to more easily access opposite sides of the heavily traveled Lexington Road. Providing crossing opportunities allows for better access to existing transit service routes depending on user needs.

PROJECT 300: Provides for planning and land acquisition to secure access thoroughfare from the recently completed traffic light-controlled intersection of Atlas Way and Lexington Road. Securing this access allows for future roadway extension to Hughes Street/Mabry Drive/Hollis Street/Allen Drive neighborhood providing safer left turn vehicular movement from the neighborhood for eastbound travel routes. This access also provides connectivity to Athens-Clarke County property adjacent to the airport.

PROJECT 301: Provides for a shared use path connecting Lexington Road corridor and adjacent neighborhoods to the existing Firefly Trail.  This connection allows bicyclist and pedestrians expanded commuter access and recreational opportunities off the heavily travelled Lexington Road corridor.  The Firefly Trail allows for a road travel experience to downtown Athens on a dedicated non-vehicular pathway.

PROJECT 102: Provides for additional funding to support TSPLOST 2023 Project #3 to create a shared use path along the north side of Lexington Road eliminating pedestrian connectivity gap connecting Cooper Road to the western drive of the Walmart shopping center. The estimated cost of completing Project #3 is larger than the budget due to GDOT requirements.

PROJECT 101b: Provides for the installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon (pedestrian red light) near the intersection of Jail Road with Lexington Road to provide safer pedestrian crossing opportunities for the adjacent neighborhoods, businesses, and to support the ACCGov facilities in the vicinity. A pedestrian signalized crossing allows a safer opportunity to access opposite sides of the heavily traveled Lexington Road. Providing crossing opportunities allows for better access to existing transit service routes depending on user needs.

Additional Sub-Projects were also identified for future consideration as funding is identified.

PROJECT 204: Provides for the extension of the sidewalk along the north side of Lexington Road from the eastern part of the Walmart shopping center to Woodgrove Drive across Lexington Road from Southeast Clarke Park. Some recent development in the area has installed some sidewalks but complete connectivity in the area has yet to be achieved. This 0.3 mile sidewalk extension provides a safer off road pedestrian connection to the adjacent neighborhoods and businesses along heavily traveled Lexington Road. Sidewalk connectivity also provides better access to existing transit services stops along the route.

PROJECT 101c: Provides for the installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon (pedestrian red light) near the intersection of Cooper Road with Lexington Road to provide safer pedestrian crossing opportunities for the adjacent neighborhoods and businesses in the vicinity. A pedestrian signalized crossing allows a safer opportunity to access opposite sides of the heavily traveled Lexington Road. Providing crossing opportunities allows for better access to existing transit service routes depending on user needs.

PROJECT 101a: Provides for the installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon (pedestrian red light) near the intersection of County Farm R Road with Lexington Road to provide safer pedestrian crossing opportunities for the adjacent neighborhoods, businesses, and ACCGov facilities in the vicinity. A pedestrian signalized crossing allows a safer opportunity to access opposite sides of the heavily traveled Lexington Road. Providing crossing opportunities allows for better access to existing transit service routes depending on user needs. If Sub-Project 101b is implemented, 101a would not be needed.

PROJECT 100: Provides for a shared use path along the north side of Lexington Road corridor between Atlas Way and Cherokee Road.  This connection allows bicyclist and pedestrians expanded commuter access and recreational opportunities outside the heavily travelled Lexington Road corridor traffic lanes.

PROJECT 202: Provides for a shared use path along the north side of Lexington Road corridor between Cherokee Road and Cooper Road.  This connection allows bicyclist and pedestrians expanded commuter access and recreational opportunities outside the heavily travelled Lexington Road corridor traffic lanes.

PROJECT 302: Provides two opportunities to connect Satterfield Park to Lexington for a shared use path. One section would connect along the easterly property line of Athens Ben Epps airport to Satterfield Park from Lexington Road. The other opportunity is to connect a shared use path along Cherokee Road to the entrance of Satterfield Park. These connections allows bicyclist and pedestrians to reach Satterfield Park in a safe manner and connect the area businesses.

PROJECT 203: Provides for a shared use path along the north side of Lexington Road corridor between Walmart shopping center to Southeast Clarke Park. This 0.7 mile connection allows bicyclist and pedestrians expanded commuter access and recreational opportunities outside the heavily travelled Lexington Road corridor traffic lanes expanding access to Southeast Clarke Park.

PROJECT 303: Provides for a new traffic signal to provide controlled vehicular/bicycle/pedestrian government across Lexington Road at Southeast Clarke Park and Woodgrove Road.

Lexington Road Corridor Proposed Project Concept Graphic