The intersection of West Jackson and Pinetree Boulevard as it looks today.

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A highly traveled Thomasville thoroughfare will get a new look in 2017.

Exciting changes are on tap for West Jackson Street.

Changes to traffic-flow patterns, improved pedestrian and bicycle access, on-street parking and overall improved aesthetics are planned for the West Jackson corridor, a move city officials said will translate into an economic boost for business and property owners.

“The West Jackson Street corridor is an area that has needed improvement for some time,” Jerry Pionessa, city engineer, said. “Redesigning the aesthetics and traffic-flow patterns will give us the opportunity to create some wonderful benefits for our community. It will also provide a nice entrance to our city for visitors traveling to Thomasville from the south.”

Brian Herrmann, city planner, pointed out other features in the project.

“Improved bicycle and pedestrian walkways and paths will be a key enhancement in this area and tie into work already under way in other areas of Thomasville,” Herrmann said. “The multi-use trail is intended to increase walkability in our community and connect the various parks and civic sites throughout the city. Improving this corridor will allow for a safer environment for our bicycle and pedestrian traffic.”

Pionessa said the area has been studied extensively, including current traffic-flow patterns.

“A better use of space can leverage new investment and greatly improve this area of our community,” Pionessa said. “These public improvements will increase private property values and open up the corridor to new uses and types of development that we’ve not experienced here before, and typically locate elsewhere.”

A key element to the redesign plan will be traffic realignment. Today, multiple lanes exist.

Said Herrmann, “Studies indicate that the road is designed to handle nearly four times its current capacity. The new plan will maintain necessary capacity while requiring fewer traffic lanes and providing additional choices for how people wish to access the corridor.”

“Realigning the current roadway allows us to better utilize the space available in these areas,” Pionessa said. “On West Jackson Street, reducing the number of traffic lanes gives us an opportunity to improve bicycle and pedestrian access and include on-street parking and improved aesthetics and greenspace.”

Enhancements planned for the West Jackson corridor, along with other changes recommended as improvements, have the potential to impact property and business owners positively.

“Improving the accessibility to both pedestrian and bicycle traffic gives property owners new opportunities to develop their property. Business owners can also take advantage of increased foot traffic in the area, all of which we hope will be a positive for economic development,” Herrmann explained.

West Jackson Street corridor improvements will be conducted in phases. The first phase, which will begin in 2017, will include road restriping, reconfiguring existing traffic lanes and completing the multi-use trail crosswalk.

Prior to beginning Phase I, the city will address rough areas on West Jackson in the downtown brick-paved section.

“There are some uneven and rough patches in the downtown brick-paved area that we will smooth out before we begin the additional West Jackson Street improvements,” Pionessa said.

For Phase I work, $750,000 from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue will be budgeted.

More can be learned about planned improvements at a community open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the future home of Dixon Pest Services, 1328 West Jackson.