A busy Gainesville intersection is getting a makeover thanks to construction of a new RaceTrac convenience store.
Work began several weeks ago on the rebuilding of Ga. 60/Queen City Parkway at West Ridge Road, about a half-mile north of Interstate 985.

“We don’t have the exact timeline ... on the completion of the road improvements, but I do know we are hoping to open the store (by) early fall,” said Cindy Erfurt, engineering project manager for RaceTrac.

RaceTrac officials couldn’t be reached for specifics on the project, which has been plagued by recent rains, but a map provided by Gainesville officials shows a new left-turn lane from Queen City onto West Ridge for motorists traveling southbound toward I-985.

The map also shows a new left-turn lane from Queen City onto West Ridge for motorists traveling northbound and headed toward Airport Industrial Park, which backs up to Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport.

The project also calls for a new right-turn lane from Queen City onto West Ridge and a right-turn lane from West Ridge onto Queen City. Workers are widening West Ridge at what will be the entrance into RaceTrac.

According to the map, the work goes farther north to Short Street and neighboring railroad tracks, where a “secondary driveway” will be built across the road from Short, leading to the store.

West Ridge is a key artery, as it connects Queen City to U.S. 129/E.E. Butler Parkway and then, farther east, ends at Athens Street.

To go forward on the work, RaceTrac had to get a commercial driveway project permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation, said Teri Pope, spokeswoman for the DOT’s District 1, which includes Hall County.

The road improvements were integral to RaceTrac’s putting up a new store at the site.

“This property came through the whole zoning process and there was a lot of discussion with DOT (about) what access plans were going to be allowed there,” City Planning Manager Matt Tate said.

“I know that RaceTrac would really like to have a drive off Queen City, but that’s limited access and they weren’t able to get (that access) from DOT,” he added. “There’s a lot happening right there at that intersection.”

RaceTrac also is working with DOT on planned improvements at its already-opened store off Ga. 365 and Howard Road.

The company recently resubmitted plans for DOT review and approval, Erfurt said.

Public safety concerns about that intersection heightened April 24, when a Clayton woman died in a crash there.

RaceTrac is expanding its presence in Hall County overall, with a long-held store off Mundy Mill Road in South Hall and one that recently opened off McEver Road Extension and Browns Bridge Road.

“We are still looking for additional sites and opportunities in this market,” said Meredith McElveen, RaceTrac real estate representative.