Johnson Ferry Road/Mt Vernon Highway Improvement

Project Status-Spring 2023: ROW acquisition. utility coordination ongoing. Transmission tower relocation currently underway.  

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve vehicular and pedestrian mobility and reduce congestion in downtown Sandy Springs by alleviating the bottleneck conditions that exist for east-west traffic on Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway and north-south traffic on Roswell Road. In addition, pedestrian mobility would improve with the addition of continuous sidewalks on both sides of Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway. Restoring Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway to a two-way operation just east of Roswell Road would eliminate the need for east-west traffic to utilize Roswell Road. This project would also improve study area intersections to provide sufficient capacity to accommodate existing and future traffic volumes.

After input from the community and City Council, the compressed grid alternative was ultimately approved as the best option. Both Mt Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry Road will consist of an eastbound and westbound lane in each direction and a center two-way left-turn lane that transitions to a left turn lane at intersections. Due to safety and operational issues, southbound left turns from Roswell Road onto Mt Vernon Highway will not be permitted, nor will northbound right turns from Roswell Road to Johnson Ferry Road. Ten-foot-wide multi-use paths are proposed on the inside shoulders of the roads, and six-foot-wide sidewalks are proposed on the outside shoulders. This alternative adds a new north-south connector road east of the library to move vehicles between Mt Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry Road. Signals are anticipated at both ends of the proposed connector road.

The proposed improvements are included in the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) program approved by voters in Sandy Springs and Fulton County in November 2016.

Adopted Plan

Prior Public Meetings 

August 2018 Public Meeting: The City of Sandy Springs held a Public Information Open House on August 30, 2018, to share concepts developed to improve the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway.  The meeting provided the community the chance to review the concepts, ask questions, and provide input. Click here to view recent questions related to the project.  

The meeting was on Thursday, August 30, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. There was a short presentation followed by the open house. The open house was held at Sandy Springs City Hall. 

The proposed improvements are included in the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) program approved by voters in Sandy Springs and Fulton County in a referendum passed in November 2016. 

Public Open House Presentation 8-30-18 Final

Project Description Public Meeting Handout

Project Letter Public Meeting Handout

Public Information Open House Meeting - held March 8, 2018

Materials at Public Meeting:

Display Boards:
Existing Conditions 1
Existing Conditions 2
Dual Roundabouts 
Full Grid
Compressed Grid

Handouts:

Project Letter
Comment Card
Project Description and Alternatives

March 2018 Public Information Open House Meeting: The City of Sandy Springs hosted two Public Information Open House meetings on March 8, 2018, regarding concepts developed to improve the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway.  

The first of these two meetings will be on Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. – noon. A second town hall meeting will be held that same day from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The meetings will be held at B’nai Torah, 700 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs 30328.  Both meetings will provide the same information and displays.

The existing one-way alignment for westbound traffic on Johnson Ferry Road and eastbound traffic on Mt. Vernon Highway east of Roswell Road currently results in significant operational and congestion delays for motorists. 

Two alternatives are proposed. A dual roundabout alternative and grid network alternative. The grid network alternative consists of two separate east/west corridors that can operate independently of each other. The roundabout alternative consists of two roundabouts. The first roundabout is proposed east of Johnson Ferry Road, Mt Vernon Highway, and west of Boylston Road. The second roundabout is proposed east of the Mt. Vernon Towers entrance and west of the Sandy Springs Public Library.

Sidewalks and enhanced pedestrian connectivity to City Springs, neighborhoods, and retail are also included in the project plans.

The proposed improvements are included in the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) program approved by voters in Sandy Springs and Fulton County in a referendum passed in November 2016. 

Project Description: Improve traffic operations and provide pedestrian improvements in the Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway corridors. The proposed projects installs two roundabouts. The first is recommended to be located west of the Johnson Ferry Road, Mount Vernon Highway, and Boylston Drive intersection. The second roundabout is planned for the intersection at Johnson Ferry Road, Mount Vernon Highway, and Mount Vernon Towers driveway. Sidewalks will be added to both sides of the roadway.