The latest development in the vicinity of Jonesboro Road / exit 221 is proposing 850 apartments. The property consists of 54 acres off North Bridges Road east of I-75.
Henry County rezoned the property in April 2022. At the time, the land owner requested to build a large distribution center. The county denied this request and instead approved mixed use zoning. The rezoning allowed for either commercial or residential use.
North Bridges Road Apartments
TPA Residential of Atlanta, GA is the project developer for North Bridges Road. Their first phase plans to build 350 apartments and 250 townhomes. In addition, there is a small 5,000 square feet of commercial space. A second phase contemplates another 260 apartments.
The April 2022 zoning conditions regulate building conditions for the apartments and townhomes. For example, all building exteriors must be at least 60% brick, glass or stone. The remaining 40% can be an accent material. The thirty-two conditions in their entirety are on the county website (PDF link – 90 pages).
Construction on the North Bridges Road apartments is expected to break ground later this year. The developer estimates construction on phase I would be complete in 2024. Full build-out of the site would occur by 2027.
Development of Regional Impact Review
Because of the project’s size over 500 housing units, it requires a development of regional impact (DRI) review. The Atlanta Regional Commission administers this review on behalf of the state within the metro area. The review considers transportation impacts before the county can issue building permits for the property. The DRI review formally began on February 20 and will be complete in late March.
As part of the DRI review, the developer had to complete a traffic impact study. The results of that study are now available. The proposed development would generate an estimated 4,292 new daily vehicle trips.
The study evaluated intersections in the area. They identified necessary improvements, both based on current traffic volumes and future growth. Perhaps the largest takeaway from the study pertains to Jonesboro Road at Mill Road. The study found this intersection cannot operate at an acceptable level without major changes. Such changes would include widening Jonesboro Road to six through lanes.
Henry County has upcoming widening projects on both Jonesboro Road and Mill Road. The projects call for widening the roads to four lanes. MHF News is not aware of any discussions for a six-lane section on Jonesboro Road.
Furthermore, the traffic study noted Jonesboro Road at I-75 North will began to fail by 2024. Specifically, the eastbound left-hand turn lane will need improvements. The traffic study recommends adding a second left-hand turn lane. As an alternative, MHF News is a steadfast advocate for building a diverging diamond interchange at this location. The DDI could improve not only vehicle operations, but also address the current lack of a sidewalk over the bridge.
Some of the other intersections reviewed by the study included the following:
- Jonesboro Road at North Bridges,
- Jonesboro Road at Mt. Carmel Road, and
- Mill Road at Mt. Carmel Road.
Modifications will be necessary at each in the next few years to improve operations. The most straightforward to address — Jonesboro Road at North Bridges — would add a new traffic light when traffic volumes warrant it. The study recommends signal changes and new turn lanes at the other intersections. For example, the study recommends adding protected right-turn phasing from Mt. Carmel Road onto Jonesboro Road.
Somewhat surprisingly, the study did not recommend changes to the northbound left-hand turn lane at Jonesboro Road and Willow Lane. This is presently one of the most requested signal changes by county residents.
The full traffic study is available for review on the ARC website (PDF link – 402 pages).
Featured image shows the site location for North Bridges Road apartments. Marc R. Acampora, PE, LLC photo.
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