Committee asks for design study of North Miller Drive for congestion relief and traffic calming

Sunbury Services Committee members discussed Oct. 1 directing design work to study lane configurations and traffic calming on North Miller Drive, particularly the segment near McDonald’s and the high school. Staff asked the consultant to evaluate options ranging from paint treatments to lane reconfiguration and phased widening so the city can compare costs and benefits.

Committee members said the intersection already has complex vehicle movements — three‑ and five‑lane segments, multiple commercial driveways and school‑hour stacking — that create safety and congestion concerns. “Just to increase in traffic, we'll see coming into this general area,” one committee member said, noting fast food driveways and confusion for motorists exiting Kroger and Wendy’s.

Staff showed photos highlighting an especially wide northbound lane and five‑lane approaches at some points, and asked the consultant to consider short‑term, low‑cost measures such as painted lane reconfiguration and marked parking stalls along wide sections of Granville Street; if funds allow, staff said they would also evaluate curb or median changes. Staff repeatedly emphasized a phased approach: begin with paint and striping, then consider physical changes if warranted and affordable after receiving pricing.

Members asked about access management at the Wendy’s and McDonald’s properties and whether making some outlets right‑in/right‑out with consolidated access (off Tippett or Sippet Court) could reduce conflict points. Staff also noted that portions of North Miller are part of a state corridor study (State Route 37) and that any significant physical changes would need to account for state review and right‑of‑way constraints.

No formal vote was taken; staff asked for permission to include North Miller in the consultant scope so the city can obtain cost estimates, and the committee signaled informal support pending cost and budget considerations.