Confusing Intersection: McPherson And Flat Shoals Avenues

This week, we start a new column, Traffic Signals, which will be a periodic look at some of the problem intersections and road hazards motorists face in East Atlanta Patch.

We've heard from many readers and the problems they face as motorists regarding different intersections and the hazards those problems create not just for cars and buses, but for cyclists and pedestrians, too.

We'd like to hear from you about not only the problem intersections for future columns, but potential solutions that could work that we could present to local city leaders and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Today's focus: the stretch of McPherson Avenue between Flat Shoals and Moreland avenues.

Actually, there are two distinct problems at both intersections.

Problem: The McPherson and Flat Shoals intersection is a four-way crossing but there's a confusing three-way stop signage.

There are stop signs on the northwest corner with the Shell filling station, the southwest corner with the Buddy's filling station, and the northeast corner at Happy Donuts.

But the southeast corner — where the public library is — has no sign.

Some folks will stop anyway; others will drive on through.

At one point, that corner had a stop sign, but not long after, it was removed.

The corner where Buddy's is had a stop sign that said motorists making a right turn onto Flat Shoals didn't have to stop except for pedestrians. It's now a regular stop sign but we've seen motorist after motorist make the turn without even a "rolling stop."

Adding to the problem, the stop sign on the corner at the shell station is behind a tree and motorists don't always see it.

At nighttime, it's painfully clear that it's difficult to see, as evidenced by the drivers exiting the gas station who blow right through it.

Possible Solution(s): Add stop sign on the fourth corner next to the library and move the stop sign on the corner behind the Shell so that it's more visible. Add flashing LEDs on the signs so drivers have a visual cue.

Problem: The other problem is the left-hand turn lane onto McPherson for motorists traveling south on Moreland, where the "Welcome to East Atlanta" sign is.

Frankly, we don't understand why it's a problem since the United States — unlike Jamaica, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, among other countries — is a drive-on-the-right nation.

But with too much regularity, we notice people making turns onto McPherson from Moreland's southbound, left-hand turn lane, will drive to the left of the welcome sign and into two lanes of oncoming traffic.

Possible Solution: Change the painted arrow on the ground so that it stretches and points to the right side of the welcome sign.

Have a problem intersection you'd like us to highlight in future Traffic Signals column? Let us know by sending an e-mail to peralte.paul@patch.com.