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'It's not getting any better': This Macon intersection is driving people crazy

From a sinking storm drain surprise, potholes and uneven pavement, regular commuters in the area say the intersection drives them crazy.

MACON, Bibb County — If you drive past Tattnall Square Park, you might relate to some commuters driving through the area.

Several College Hill neighbors told us there are hazards at the Adams Street and  Oglethorpe Street intersection that have been around for years.

A few neighbors told 13WMAZ they've dealt with the problem for almost 20 years.

Beth Hammond said it's driving her crazy.

Residents, college students and people who work nearby take Adams or Oglethorpe to their destinations.

However, as you drive east on Oglethorpe and try to turn right on Adams, keep an eye out for the sinking storm drain, which can surprise you.

"I'm coming down Oglethorpe and turning right all the time to go to my house," Hammond said. "My husband's always saying  watch out, watch out, watch out-- he's right."

Hammond said her husband's right about the bumps in the road on the street they've called home for the past 18 years.

Every time mom has to turn the corner to come home, she says she's startled.

"There's a lot of stuff going on on the street. It's not just the pavement," she said.

While we were holding our interview on the corner of Tattnall Square Park, a car demonstrated the exact problem drivers turning from Oglethorpe onto Adams.

"[Their] tire goes all the way right down in there," Hammond noticed.

The sinking storm drain is surrounded by uneven pavement, potholes and cracks in the road.

"You can see how torn up it is, there's a lot of heavy equipment that comes through here," Hammond noted.

She's noticed more traffic over the years, which means more tires and more wear and tear.

"This is such a heavily traveled street," Hammond added.

At this point, she knows where the sweet spots are.

"It isn't so bad turning left, but still, you have to avoid that culvert over there in order to not get hit by traffic here, and it's so easy to feel like you're gonna scrape your tire," she said.
Macon-Bibb Public Works oversees the road.


When they received a grant to repair roads almost a decade ago, they installed the roundabout at College Street and Oglethorpe Street, about a block away from the Adams and  Oglethorpe intersection.

However, Hammond doesn't think a roundabout would solve the problem.

"I think it would be too disruptive to this neighborhood and the yards in this neighborhood," she said. "I think about the house right behind me,  what would happen to their yard if they put in a roundabout. I think it  should just be repaired."

When we reached out to the Macon-Bibb Public Works Department, Spokesperson Chris Floore said, "The road is supposed to look like that, so water flows into the drain."

Hammond thinks something can still be done to improve the safety of drivers on the road.

"It's not getting any better, and if you're not aware of it like that woman who just turned, or maybe she was aware of it-- you have to be careful," she said.

We learned from Macon-Bibb that the Macon Water  Authority can determine if there is an issue because of the storm drain, but they have not decided yet.

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