UPDATE: This project has been postponed. For more details, click here.

Here is our previous story….

Atlanta, GA — A portion of Briarlake Road will be closed for at least four months or more starting Aug. 29.

The county will be closing Briarlake Road between Briarcliff Road and Briarlake Trace as part of DeKalb’s $2.4 billion capital improvement program, according to a letter mailed to nearby residents.

“This letter serves as formal notification that construction activities associated with this project will start on August 29, 2022,” he letter says. “A portion of Briarlake Road, between Briarcliff Road and Briarlake Trace Northeast will be closed from August to December 2022 (barring any weather days), while crews work to upgrade the sewer line and several manhole structures. The construction work requires a full road closure at the intersection of Briarcliff Road Northeast (400 feet) to Briarlake Trace, NE. The manhole located on Briarcliff Road adjacent to the intersection requires a one-lane closure between intersecting streets of Circlewood Road and Echo Drive.”

The letter also describes the detour that will be in place.

“Briarlake Road, commuters traveling away from Briarcliff Road (Briarlake Trace, Tristan Circle, Briarlake Woods Way, Ector Court, Greensward Drive, Greenbrook Trail) will all detour to Amberwood Drive to Castlewood Lane (Amberwood Way), detouring onto Castlewood Lane to Mercedes Drive (Starfire Drive, Grand Prix Drive and Mercedes Court) to Greenglade Road to Oak Grove Road (Englade Road, Highland Grove, Lively Trail) traveling onto Oak Grove Road to Briarcliff Road.”

Construction hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday except on major holidays.

“An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected,” the letter says. “KEMI Construction, working on behalf of DeKalb County, is the authorized contractor for the Briarlake Sewer Rehabilitation Project. All workers will be wearing proper identification and driving marked vehicles. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Briarlake Sewer Rehabilitation Project, please do not hesitate to contact the DWM Project Information line at 1-800-986-1108 or email [email protected].”

One resident living near the project is concerned the county has not properly notified the public, particularly people who live near Lakeside High School.

“First off, I’m glad the county is fixing the sewer system in the Echo Lake Sub Basin,” the resident said. “We don’t want any more [sanitary sewer overflows] leaking onto our streets, sidewalks and into our creeks and lakes.  However, this project will greatly impact traffic flow and thus far, the county’s only preparation to assist and alleviate confusion and congestion are inadequate.  All we have are two signs posted on Briarcliff super close to the intersection of Briarlake stating Briarlake Road will be closed Aug. 29  What the sign does not say is that it will be closed for four months! There are no detour signs offered ‘upstream’ hence drivers will happen upon the closure and will be unable to get through or safely turn around. Chaos! The school system bus operations people are not in the loop.  Area civic associations have not been notified, so many of our residents are not aware of what is coming.”

The county sent out a press release about the project on Aug. 24. The county sent the letter to residents on Aug. 18.

Here’s the county’s full press release about this project:

DECATUR, Ga. – On Aug. 29, a portion of Briarlake Road, between Briarcliff Road and Briarlake Trace Northeast, will be closed from Aug. 29 to Dec. 31, 2022, (barring any weather days), while crews work to upgrade the sewer line and several manhole structures.

The construction work requires a full road closure at the intersection of Briarcliff Road Northeast (400 feet) to Briarlake Trace, NE. The manhole located on Briarcliff Road adjacent to intersection requires a one-lane closure between intersecting streets of Circlewood Road and Echo Drive.

Normal construction hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.

Motorists should expect delays stemming from the lane closure. Lane closure signs and traffic flaggers will assist motorists in moving safely around the lane closure. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to motorists.

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated this construction project to address the repair needs of approximately 100,000 linear feet of water pipe as a part of ongoing maintenance to improve water service countywide.

For more information, visit the DWM website at www.dekalbwatershed.com, call the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or email: [email protected].

Correction: An earlier version of this story listed an incorrect amount for the county’s capital improvement program. This story has been updated with the correct information.

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