Phase I Archaeological Survey of Memorial Drive Sidewalks Project Area, Dekalb County, Georgia

The proposed project would consist of improvements along a 3.41-mile corridor on Memorial Drive extending from Candler Road to Mountain Drive, excluding the area in front of Avondale Mall in DeKalb County. The project would consist of aesthetic streetscape, sidewalk, and traffic management improvements. Streetscape elements would include landscaping, bus stop seating, site furnishings, and ornamental street and sidewalk lights. Sidewalk improvements would include upgrading existing sidewalks to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act and would ensure sidewalks, curbs and gutters are in acceptable condition. Existing right-of-way (ROW) is a minimum of 100 feet. Proposed ROW would vary from 100-120 ft. Limited traffic management improvements would be performed. According to a traffic analysis performed by ARCADIS, eleven intersections within the project limits require additional or separate turn lanes. These intersections are at Candler Road, Carter Road, Rupert Road, the Hooper Alexander Elementary School driveway, the Kroger shopping center entrance, Columbia Drive, Midway Road, Covington Highway, Kensington Road, the MARTA parking entrance, and Mountain Drive. Due to limited ROW, most of the turn lanes will not be constructed. However, the lengths of existing turn lanes would be extended where impacts to existing ROW could be minimized. The radii of return at certain intersections would be improved. The existing concrete median, extending from Columbia Drive to Nottingham Drive, would be replaced by a four-foot raised concrete median. There were negative findings.