By John Schaffner
johnschaffner@reporternewspapers.net
Motorists who regularly use West Paces Ferry Road to travel through Buckhead have been running into a roadblock – literally – daily since Aug. 16 and will continue to do so, apparently until Sept. 10.
The reason for the road closure between Andrews and Slaton drives each weekday is for contractors to repair sewer lines along that stretch of road, according to Janet Ward, communications manager with the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.
West Paces Ferry in that stretch will be closed Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The road will be open during nonwork hours on weekdays and on the weekends.
Westbound traffic should detour onto Slaton Drive to Andrews Drive to West Paces Ferry Road. Eastbound traffic should detour onto Andrews Drive to Slaton Drive to West Paces Ferry.
The Atlanta History Center is directly affected by the road closure because its main vehicle entrance is on West Paces Ferry between Andrews and Slaton drives.
However, Jackson McQuigg, vice president of properties for the center, said the center has posted its own detour signs to direct patrons to the side entrance off Andrews Drive. He said that was the original main entrance into the center and they have maintained it over the years.
“We are doing everything possible to provide easy access – at least, as easy as possible – to the Atlanta History Center” while the sewer work is going on, McQuigg said. The center has been told the Sept. 10 date is the outside estimate of when the sewer pipe replacement will be completed. The work should not interfere with the opening of a major Abraham Lincoln exhibit scheduled to open at the center Sept. 4.
Ward urged motorists to exercise caution when traveling in the area and to use alternate routes when possible.