|
State funds right-of-way near Ga. 9 in Forsyth
|
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the funding source planned for this project. Forsyth County planned to use part of its SPLOST VI funding toward a project it has deemed a priority "A" project, with state and federal dollars also.
Cumming – A section of Bethelview Road between Ga. 9 and Castleberry Road has a much better chance for improvements since the Ga. Department of Transportation (GDOT) told Forsyth County it found $2.5 million to fund right-of-way purchases.
This section of road has become heavily commercial. Just south of this stretch of road, it becomes Peachtree Parkway (Ga. 141).
The purpose of the proposed project is to provide improved capacity and safety along this established travel corridor by widening the existing 2-lane roadway to a 4-lane divided roadway with a 20-foot raised median. This project is planned in response to the tremendous growth that has occurred and continues to occur in the project area.
Rep. Mark Hamilton, R-Cumming, was given a lot of credit by Forsyth Commissioner Patrick Bell for working with GDOT on the funding, Hamilton said this county project has been worked on for a long time by Forsyth County, its commissioners, John Cunard, director of the county Engineering Department and others.
The project was designed with plans for local, state and federal funding, with the county providing a portion of the funding from SPLOST VI (sales tax dollars).
The Engineering Director hopes these funds will move the project forward.
|
| 
advertisement |
"Just about all SPLOST dollars are down because of the economy," Hamilton said, "making it a little bit tougher to fund the project."
The Ga. 141 widening and improvement project has had an effect on the west side of Ga. 400 also.
"We've got a tremendous amount of retail growth on that section of property, plus with all the residential growth, and people trying to feed into 141 and Ga. 400, it's just a terrible bottleneck. Many Forsyth residents will be pleased once that section of road is completed," he said.
While the entire project includes work from Ga. 9 to Ga. 20, on about 5 or 6 miles of roadway, Hamilton said the project was split into two sections.
"The Department of Transportation has graciously agreed to fund up to $2.5 million of right of way for the Bethelview Road section from state route 9 to Castleberry," Hamilton said.
Gerald M. Ross, GDOT deputy commissioner and chief engineer, said the funding is contingent on an amendment to the original project agreement. The state will provide these funds for the shorter section of the project, but Forsyth County will be 100 percent responsible for right-of-way funding for the 5-mile stretch of Bethelview Road between Castleberry Road and Ga. 20.
According to the county, once the Project Framework Agreement has been approved, the next step would be for the county to begin acquisition of right-of-way for Phase 1.
Tags: Cumming, Forsyth County
| |
|
|
