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ARC Board Approves $4.3 Million in Transportation Projects in Clayton County

Posted on: Jun 27, 2018

The Atlanta Regional Commission Board today approved several transportation projects in Clayton County through 2023.

Projects include:

• Forest Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation – This project will repair a 3-mile stretch of Forest Parkway, from Jonesboro Road to Moreland Ave., which experiences heavy truck and bus traffic.
• I-285/Conley Road Interchange Feasibility Study – A study will determine whether a new interchange is feasible at the existing Conley Road bridge over I-285.

The Clayton projects are among more than 100 across the region funded as part of an update to the short-term portion of ARC’s Regional Transportation Plan, The Atlanta Region’s Plan, at a total cost of $400 million. The ARC board approved the update on June 27.

“These projects address some of the most significant local transportation needs and will help people get where they need to go safely and efficiently,” said Doug Hooker, ARC Executive Director. “This will provide more options for many residents and will strengthen our economic competitiveness.”

The $400 million project list is part of $7 billion dollars of improvements across the region that are already planned or under construction through 2023. This includes several major Clayton projects, including widenings of three key thoroughfares: SR 85, Battle Creek Road, and Mount Zion Blvd.

Here’s a closer look at how the $400 million project list will improve transportation in metro Atlanta:

Improved roads and intersections

Dozens of projects are on the horizon to improve congestion and safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. Highlights include:

• South Barrett Parkway Reliever – Shiloh Valley Drive and Greers Chapel Drive in Cobb County will be widened from two to four lanes, creating a viable alternative to Barrett Parkway.
• S. 278 redesign – U.S. 278 in Avondale Estates will become a pedestrian-friendly “Main Street” with improved sidewalks, new bike lanes, and pedestrian crossings with medians.
• Rock Quarry Road – Right-of-way will be purchased to widen this key Henry County artery from two to four lanes, with a multi-use path, between Eagles Landing Parkway and North Henry Parkway. Construction is planned from 2024-2030.
• Barnwell Road – To improve traffic flow on Barnwell Road at the intersection with Holcomb Bridge Road in Johns Creek, dual left turn lanes will be added to Barnwell, along with a through lane and a right-hand turn lane, and a roundabout will be built at Niblick Drive.

Better transit options

The region’s transit providers plan to improve service and meet growing demand:

• Gwinnett County Transit will extend weekday service on local bus routes will now run past midnight, and reduces wait times to 30 minutes or less most of the day
• CobbLINC will establish Sunday service and enhances Saturday service
• Douglas County will establish bus service
• SRTA/GRTA will expand Xpress service in coordination with the opening of the I-75/I-575 Xpress Lanes in Cobb and Cherokee and expand park-and-ride lots in Rockdale County and at Sugarloaf in Gwinnett County
• MARTA will establish arterial rapid transit routes in the city of Atlanta (Cascade Road, Cleveland Ave., Campbellton Road, Metropolitan Parkway, and Peachtree Road)

Expanded regional multi-use trail network

A major expansion of the region’s multi-use trails used by bicyclists and pedestrians is planned – about 800 miles in all. The projects are a major step toward the creation of a truly regional trail network that will make it easier for people to get where they need to go without driving.

Projects include:

• Atlanta BeltLine (Atlanta) – Preliminary engineering for two segments – Lindbergh Center to 10^Th Street/Monroe Drive, and Glenwood Ave. to University Ave.
• Bob Callan Trail (Cobb) – Design of extension from Interstate North Parkway to just south of Windy Hill Road, creating direct or potential connections to Kennesaw Mountain, the Silver Comet Trail, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, PATH400, and the Atlanta BeltLine Trail.
• Peachtree Creek Greenway Trail (DeKalb) – This project will extend the Peachtree Creek Greenway from the city of Atlanta to North Druid Hills Road, connecting to the Atlanta BeltLine Trail.
• PATH400 (Atlanta) – The PATH400 trail will be extended from Wieuca Road to Loridans Drive, providing a critical link in the region’s trail network, providing access to major employment centers.

Fast-Tracked Highway Projects

Preliminary engineering and design will be provided for several major freeway projects, including:

• I-285 West Express Lanes (I-20W to I-75N)
• I-285 East Express Lanes (I-20E to I-85N)

• Interchange improvements at I-285 and I-20W
• Interchange improvements at I-285 and I-20E

Atlanta Region’s Transportation Improvement Program

The project list updates the Atlanta region’s Transportation Improvement Program, which is managed by ARC. As the region’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, ARC allocates federal transportation dollars across the 20-county Atlanta region.

Learn more about metro Atlanta’s Transportation Improvement Program, including detailed information about each of the projects on the list.

About ARC

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties, as well as the City of Atlanta and 72 other cities.  The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.