Stop signs along I-20 and Bobby Jones have drivers looking for other routes

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By Ashley Campbell acampbell@nbcaugusta.com

Drivers say stop signs found in construction zones along Bobby Jones and I-20 in Augusta are an accident waiting to happen.

Some new stop signs were added recently and some drivers think they're doing more harm than good.

"You can't expect to be able to get into traffic from a stop," said Michae Whiteside, driver.

Drivers also complained about traffic being backed up from the stop sign, causing them delays.

The stop signs are part of a three-year project with the Georgia Department of Transportation

Site project manager, Sam Stutt said the stop signs are there for safety reasons because there is no acceleration lane.

"It you don't give traffic a chance to get along the main line of traffic and merge than the situation calls for a stop sign," said Stutt.

Some drivers say having stop signs at on ramp intersections make it harder for them to merge on with oncoming traffic.

But Stutt says as long as people are driving the posted speed limit, that shouldn't be a problem.

"If people on the main line were running 45 mph, it would give the people that are stopped more of a chance to get out into the traffic," said Stutt.

Speeding along these intersections is something else that has drivers worried.

“I come down there in a wrecker and they blow past you like you're standing still,” said Glen Martin.

Stutt says Richmond County deputies are increasing their patrol and writing tickets to control speeding.

But some drivers say they plan to avoid the construction area altogether.

"I take back roads, even if I have to leave a little early, I just completely avoid using that part of the interstate right now,” said Whiteside.

And if you're a driver who can’t avoid the area, Stutt has one more piece of advice.

"Slow down and get used to it a little bit.”

There are also stop signs along Bobby Jones westbound to I-20 eastbound.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said the signs will be up for about three to four months, depending on the progress.

The whole project expected to be finished in July 2010.

Tuesday, Aug 19 at 7:31 PM Don H wrote ...

I am a new Augusta resident, and I have never seen a stop sign at the bottom of a freeway entrance ramp until I moved here. I have always used the entrance ramp as a merging lane to enter a freeway. I contend that most people that know how to drive a motor vehicle are able to merge on to a freeway. It seems that freeway merging training for drivers here in Augusta is lacking. Stop signs at the bottom of a freeway ramp are dangerous. Where are the MERGING TRAFFIC signs?

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