SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) -- Chatham County officials are getting closer to a final decision for the President Street railroad crossing elimination.
Senior transportation engineer Deana Brooks told News 3 the final report recommends a 'Green- T Trumpet' interchange concept.
"We're basically building a bridge on President Street that will go over the railroad and then it's going to come back down,” Brooks said. “And then we're relocating the ramp for Truman Parkway. And the reason we're doing that is we want to reduce also the delays due to the traffic signal."
There will be an intersection that would allow continuously moving eastbound thru lanes, with one signal control for left turns onto Truman Parkway. According to the plan, this calls for East President Street to be widened to six lanes, with double turn lanes for south and east bound left turns.
"Folks that are going out towards the island, will not have to stop at the traffic signal at all,” Brooks said. “And so that will also alleviate a lot of the delays that folks face now in this area."
On Wednesday, the county holding a public meeting. Lamar Davis, a 64-year resident, said the 'Green T Trumpet' interchange concept is at the top of his list.
"It eliminates the problem with the railroad track, which is the biggest problem,” Davis said. “And, you know, some that some of the other traffic flow items would also improve.”
The plans to fund the $80 million project with grants.
“I would just like for everyone to understand that this is a priority project for us, and this is something that we 100% want to see done,” Brooks said. “We are doing the study to put it on a shelf somewhere. This is something that's going to become an actionable plan and something that will happen. we're hoping to move to construction pretty.”
The county is aiming for the new project to be completed in 2030.