January 23, 2008
JOHNS CREEK -- The city of Johns Creek has received $700,000 in transportation enhancement funding from the Ga. Department of Transportation (GDOT) to finance three projects.
The projects include $300,000 for the Buice Road Extension Multi-Use Trail, which will have a 10-12 foot wide multi-use trail from Old Alabama Road/Autrey Mill Nature Center Preserve and Heritage Center to Buice Road.
Another project includes $125,000 for the Spruill Road Multi-Use Trail, which will include a 10-12 foot wide multi-use trail along Spruill Road from Old Alabama Road to Buice Road.
The last project will provide $275,000 for trail signage and amenities for the Johns Creek Greenway and Rogers Bridge Road Trail.
According to Ken Hildebrandt, public works director for Johns Creek, staff reviewed the city's Greenway Plan, compiled by a group of citizens prior to the city's incorporation.
"They identified a number of projects throughout the city for bike paths, and we reviewed that plan and looked at their recommendations," said Hildebrandt.
He said the city applied for the three projects to GDOT last summer based on the recommendations.
"They weren't fully funded but obviously we're excited to have $700,000 to go after these projects," said Hildebrandt.
He added that the city would like to pursue the $275,000 amenity project quickly because little engineering design is needed and right-of-ways are not involved.
Construction on the other two trail projects will begin in 2010, according to Hildebrandt, after staff will ask City Council for engineering design funding in the next fiscal year.
State Transportation Board Vice Chairman Garland Pinholster, who announced that Johns Creek will receive the grant, praised State Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Duluth) and state senators David Shafer (R-Duluth) and Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta) for their efforts in securing the funding.
"Without their hand work and commitment to these projects, they likely would not have happened," said Pinholster.
The transportation enhancement program's goal is to enrich transportation through specific types of enhancement projects. The program funds projects that include multi-use facilities such as walking and biking trails and paths; streetscaping and landscaping projects, historic preservation of transportation-related facilities like railroad depots and scenic preservation of views and scenic byways.
"We're delighted to announce these grants," said Pinholster. "We received a great deal of excellent applications from communities and organizations in the 6th District…The selected projects show great local government commitment to improving their community's quality of life and their local elected leaders are to be commended."
In 2007, GDOT received a total of 285 eligible applications representing combined request for more than $176 million in federal funds from all 13 congressional districts. During the current selection round, more than $54 million in federal funds are available for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for statewide distribution.
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