Phoebe warns of potential traffic delays due to city sewer project around its main campus
ALBANY, Ga. – An upcoming City of Albany combined sewer overflow project will have a significant impact on traffic around Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and will make it more difficult for patients and visitors to get to Phoebe’s main campus.
“We want our patients and visitors to be aware that there will be major detours in the neighborhood around our main campus, and the route you typically take to get to our campus may be unavailable,” said Deb Angerami, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital CEO. “We regret any confusion and disruptions these detours may cause, but this is a mandatory project the city must undertake.”
Beginning Wednesday, August 16 at 7:00 a.m., the city plans to close Jefferson Street from 7th Avenue to Society Avenue for the duration of the project, which could last up to a year. Jefferson Street is the primary access point for the hospital.
“We’ll be dealing with these detours for quite a while, and we’re doing all we can to make sure people understand how the city’s plan will affect how they are able to access our hospital,” Angerami said.
With Jefferson Street closed, the city’s detour plan will direct southbound traffic down Jackson Street and northbound traffic up Washington Street. Streets that cross Jefferson will be open, except when construction is actively taking place in those intersections. Access to the Phoebe Emergency Center will only be available going west on 4th Avenue.
“The safety of our patients is our top priority. We have met multiple times with city officials, EMS leaders and other first responders about the impacts of this project, and we are planning weekly meetings with them throughout the project to ensure emergency crews maintain quick access to our ER,” Angerami said. “We know many people also come to the ER in personal vehicles, and time is often critical. We implore everyone to familiarize themselves with the traffic changes, so that if they need to get to our hospital in a hurry, they know where to go,” she added.
During the first phase of the project, the 2nd Avenue intersection at Jefferson Street will be blocked, so motorists will only be able to approach the main parking lot and main entrance to the hospital on 2nd Avenue travelling east.
“We encourage anyone coming to our main campus for an appointment or to visit someone in the hospital to allow a few extra minutes of travel time since the detours and potential traffic congestion could cause delays. We apologize for these challenges, and we continue to work with the city to try to minimize disruptions,” Angerami said.
Detour and parking details will be featured prominently on Phoebe’s website. The health system will continue to share updates at www.phoebehealth.com and its social media channels throughout the project.
Copyright 2023 CBS 44 South Georgia. All Rights reserved.
