One third of the intersection is technically in Johns Creek with the other two thirds in Roswell, but negotiations to work together to pay for the light did not pan out when Roswell council voted against splitting the cost. The conversation also included part of Nesbit Ferry being annexed to Johns Creek if Roswell agreed to bring the road up to paving standards.
Mayor Mike Bodker said the problem with choosing not to install a traffic signal is that a traffic warrant study that has already been done, putting the city at risk for liability of future accidents at that site.
“If you ask the question — being go get a traffic warrant study — you have to be prepared for the answer,” he said. “At that point, you’re on notice.”
Recently Johns Creek council received a study outlining the ten worst intersections in the city, excluding state roads, and Public Works Director Tom Black said the intersection at Nesbit Ferry and Brumbelow would have been No. 11 on that list.
“I’m very disappointed with Roswell,” said Post 5 Councilwoman Kelly Stewart.
“Where I come to is what is the right thing to do, and the right thing to do in my perspective is to put up that light.”
The money for the signal was set aside in last year’s budget and moved to this year’s for the same project, but there is concern that paying the whole cost for a signal that is mostly in another jurisdiction is sending a certain message to the city’s neighbors.
“I think this continues a slippery slope for us in terms of covering the behinds of other cities,” said Post 3 Councilwoman Karen Richardson.
At this point, Bodker said staff can go ahead with planning the light since council voted earlier on it and the funding has already been set aside.
“We’ll see whether or not [Roswell] will waive the fees or whether or not they want to put salt on the wound,” City Manager John Kachmar said.
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