MACON, Ga. — The new year is expected to bring big changes for one of Central Georgia's deadliest roads for pedestrians.
Macon-Bibb applied for a grant from the Department of Transportation to "completely retrofit" Gray Highway in an effort to make it safer.
Regular commuters, like Dreyvun Stephens, have seen a handful of accidents on Gray.
Since Stephens started working at a nearby pawn shop a few years ago, he said he's witnessed how "chaotic" the road can get on a regular day.
"Most people walking are shopping or going to work," Stephens said.
As a result of the DOT grant, the 2.5-mile stretch from Shurling Drive to Interstate 16 is getting five medianettes, which are concrete slabs meant to discourage speeding and "create a safer environment for pedestrians."
However, lifelong Maconite Stephens does not think the accident problem on Gray Highway is an easy fix.
He thinks the medianettes are "a temporary solution."
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the medianettes will be installed at:
- Center/Williams Street
- North and South of Lexington Street
- North of Hall Street
- South of Clinton Road
Some folks, like Stephens, will need some convincing it will solve the root of the problem on Gray Highway.
"I feel like it's safer now than putting a median because that's basically shielding them," Stephens said. "People crossing the street are gonna hide behind 'em or either get in between them, and that's gonna be more chaotic."
The Safety Improvement Project should be completed within 5 years of receiving the grant.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation's website, the road work is set to begin sometime in the new year.