The Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department is seeking public input on bicycle and pedestrian improvement options on Barber Street between Boulevard and Prince Avenue through October 16, 2022.

An interactive map showing the five alternatives and a public feedback form are now available at www.accgov.com/barber. The page provides maps of the corridor, details and photos of different infrastructure alternatives, and design options. Online feedback will be accepted through October 16.

This project is a continuation of the Barber Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project, which considers new infrastructure on a longer stretch of Barber Street from Prince Avenue to North Chase Street. The proposed amenities are designed to create safer access for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists to adjacent neighborhoods, businesses, and public transit facilities along Barber Street and the surrounding area.

The overall Barber Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project is broken up into four different segments:

1. From North Chase Street to the Loop 10 underpass
2. From Loop 10 underpass to Oneta Street
3. From Oneta Street to Boulevard
4. From Boulevard to Prince Avenue

In spring 2021, ACCGov received public input on the four segments of this project. Staff and the Athens in Motion Commission presented recommendations to the Mayor and Commission at a Work Session on June 8, 2021. After Work Session input from the Mayor and Commission, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure was designed for the east side of Barber Street. For segments 1-3, a two-way separated bicycle lane with a sidewalk is recommended. Although two options were initially considered for segment 4, Boulevard to Prince Avenue, additional options were requested due to the unique characteristics of these two blocks. The online map provides an in-depth analysis of the various alternatives for segment 4 to understand the tradeoffs of each alternative in terms of costs, safety, and right-of-way needed.

The Barber Street project is a Tier 1 Project identified in the Athens in Motion Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, which is available at www.accgov.com/athensinmotion. A timeframe for construction of this project has not yet been determined. Funding for the project will come from Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) funds for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and possibly other sources.

For more information on the Barber Street project, visit www.accgov.com/barber or contact the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department at 706-613-3440 or [email protected].