Peachtree City’s wish list for regional transportation projects includes both road and cart path projects.
The projects vary from the second phase of MacDuff Parkway at the northern end to a network of paths that would connect residents on the south side of the city to the industrial park and the Baseball Soccer Complex on Ga. Highway 74 south.
The list was unanimously approved by the City Council Thursday night, and it will be added to the county’s project submittal list that will be going to the Georgia Department of Transportation for initial vetting.
The city will not be pursuing the first phase of MacDuff Parkway because of logistical problems associated with the at-grade railroad crossing that is necessary for the project, according to City Engineer David Borkowski. That railroad crossing is needed for the road to reach Hwy. 74 and link with the southern end of Kedron Drive.
Among the proposed projects are:
• A rerouting of traffic to fix safety issues at the intersection of Ga. Highway 54 and Commerce Drive.
• Intersection improvements on Robinson Road.
• Other intersection improvements along Peachtree Parkway such as the cross point with Loring Lane.
• A network of cart paths linking the relatively new Flat Creek bridge with a path that would connect with the FAA traffic control center and other businesses, connect with a tunnel that will be built under the newly-widened Ga. Highway 74 at the city’s Baseball and Soccer Complex, and then a path from there that would go northwards to reach companies including Sany America, Cooper Lighting and connect all the way to Dividend Drive.
• Another path that would go north from the Flat Creek bridge up to Crosstown Road. That would connect the path system with companies along the way that are completely isolated from the city’s path system, Borkowski said.
• Path connections for another tunnel underneath Hwy. 74 south that will link the a retail area on the west side with the Wilshire Pavilion shopping center and the Rite-Aid drugstore. A development for older adults has been planned for property on the west side of the road as well.
• The long-planned “gateway” cart path bridge that would span Ga. Highway 54 West, linking a cart path along MacDuff Parkway to the Shoppes at the Village Piazza on the south side of Hwy. 54.
The cart path projects for the industrial park have promise for regional funding because state officials are looking to improve connectivity with employment centers, Borkowski said.
Mayor Don Haddix said the public support on the cart path project to BSC and the industrial park “is strong.”
Councilwoman Kim Learnard was stunned when staff noted that the management of Falcon Field Airport was not interested in pursuing any of the tax funding.
It was mentioned that the airport feels more confident in getting money from other sources including grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
With the council approval, all of the projects will be added to the county’s submittal for funding by the potential regional transportation sales tax. After vetting by the DOT, the project lists go to 21-member Regional Transportation Roundtable which will have the final vote on which projects can be funded by the proposed tax.
The one percent sales tax would be on the ballot in June 2012, and even if it fails in Fayette County, if it passes in the 10-county Atlanta region then it will be assessed here.
Fayette County has two elected officials on the roundtable: Fayette County Commission Chairman (and former Peachtree City Mayor) Herb Frady and Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele. Both have said they will not commit to supporting the sales tax unless they feel Fayette County is getting an equivalent funding for beneficial projects compared to the amount of tax the county will be chipping in.
Fayette is anticipated to chip in about $205 million over the 10-year period of the tax if it is approved by voters.
That’s a drop in the bucket compared to the anticipated region-wide take of $7.8 billion, nearly two-thirds of which would come from three counties: Cobb ($1.3 billion), Gwinnett ($1.4 billion) and Fulton ($2.3 billion).
Also, the tax is approved, Peachtree City will get some revenue back that can be used on any transportation project it desires, whether it has a regional impact or not.
The county is expected to receive in return about $46 million in those funds, and Peachtree City would get a share of that.
