This petition is seeking immediate action from the Cobb DOT related to the intersection of Irwin Road and Villa Rica Road in Marietta, GA.  August 30, 2007 a Cobb DOT traffic proposal was written proposing a Roundabout intersection at Irwin Road and Villa Rica Road in addition to a proposed Roundabout intersection at Villa Rica Road and West Sandtown Road (Original Proposal).  Unfortunately the roundabout at Irwin Road and Villa Rica Road did not make the final project plan and the project was completed implementing only a single roundabout intersection (Villa Rica & West Sandtown Road).

This project has created significant issues for the remaining intersection of Irwin Road and Villa Rica Road that have been complicated further by the single roundabout implemented including the following:

• Increased accidents at this intersection including, but definitely not limited to 2 teenage drivers from Lakefield Manor subdivision on Irwin Road being involved in accidents totaling their vehicles and causing injuries to parties.  From the original (Original Proposal) it was sited that 8 accidents have occurred from 2005-2007.  I believe this number has significantly increased as a result of the partial implementation of the project (1 vs 2 roundabouts).
• Increased traffic back-up including significant traffic backing up on Irwin Road during rush hours (especially evening rush hour), often backing up to the Pennington Hill neighborhood and beyond.  It often takes 20-25 minutes from Lakefield Manor subdivision to clear the Irwin Road & Villa Rica Road intersection.
• Traffic no longer stops on Villa Rica Road so drivers are often trying to offer courtesies that interrupt the flow of traffic.  For example, often drivers traveling from Barrett Parkway on Villa Rica Road either incorrectly yield to drivers pulling out from Irwin Road which causes further safety concerns as the drivers right of way is not being observed putting additional vehicles and safety at risk.

Additionally many residents of this area were excited in the past year as construction cones were put up and trees cleared from along Villa Rica Road and Irwin Roads.  We were all hopeful that this unsafe intersection was finally being addressed further to resolve these safety issues. Unfortunately this was to only add a "lightly used" sidewalk and a turning median for Sandtown Place SW (directly across from Irwin Road).  While the sidewalk project was a "nice to have" and serves several of the local residents that enjoy walking and running this project simply did not go far enough to address the additional traffic and safety issues with this intersection.  

This petition is a "Call to Action" for our local representatives and government.  It is no longer acceptable to continue with the increased accidents and safety concerns, including the most direct route to the local Hillgrove High School for our young teenage drivers.  Please correct the Villa Rica Road and Irwin Road interesection that has only been made worse by "half" implementing the proposed project from 2007 (Original Proposal)