There will be many watching when the Atlanta Braves take the field at SunTrust Park in Cobb County for the first time on Friday, but one nearby city will have its eye on the traffic.
While Friday's game against the New York Yankees is an exhibition, Sandy Springs plans to implement its game day traffic program. Rusty Paul, the Mayor of Sandy Springs, told WABE 90.1 that the city will have more than 30 electronic counters measuring traffic that day.
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Between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. during weekday evening games, two-man traffic crews will be on the I-285 and Northside Drive interchange and along Powers Ferry Road and Interstate North Parkway. Crews will have signs, cones and barricades to assist with traffic flow.
Several intersections will be monitored on game day and have police support.
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Tempers have flared between Sandy Springs and Cobb County over the ballpark's traffic many times in the past, mostly over proposed traffic patterns and monetary compensation for game day resources. Sandy Springs is less than 10 miles from the Braves' home in the Cumberland area.
Sharon Kraun, the communications manager for Sandy Springs, said in an email on Tuesday, “We will be evolving the (traffic) plan as we observe motorists’ activities on event days and will adjust accordingly both during the event and for the next scheduled event. “
In February, representatives from Fulton County Schools, Sandy Springs, Cobb County and Kennesaw State University collaborated for a traffic task force.
“It will likely take a few months for traffic patterns to normalize as patrons find their best travel routes,” Kraun said.
More information about Sandy Springs' traffic plan can be found at sandyspringsga.gov/residents/preparing-for-the-braves.
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