On the improvement list: Sandy Creek, Tyrone-Palmetto, Banks, Corinth roads, Hwy. 279 —
Several corridor and intersection improvement studies for roadways across the county were approved Nov. 8 by the Fayette County Commission.
The projects were included on the voter-approved 2017 SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) list, with the goal of identifying the need and purpose of corridor improvements and to position the corridors for potential future federal aid.
Fayette County Public Works Director Phil Mallon said three of the corridor studies were grouped together as one project.
Those included Sandy Creek Road, Tyrone and Palmetto roads and Banks Road. Those corridor planning studies come with a cost of $528,160, with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) paying 80 percent of the cost.
Mallon said the scope of work for all projects includes a review of existing conditions and technical analysis, public involvement, the development of a draft concept plan and draft concept report, similar to Ga. Department of Transportation standards. The vote to approved the studies was unanimous.
Also approved by unanimous vote was a planning study focusing on Corinth Road and Ga. Highway 279, with the goal of exploring possible scenarios that would provide for linking the two roadways, Mallon said.
The project cost is $250,000, with ARC again paying 80 percent of the cost.
“This is our best chance of getting federal aid for significant improvements,” Mallon said of the hope of getting future federal funding for the projects.
The problem with all the bypasses is that they mostly add as much time as going through the square for folks especially if you are going to the Pavilion.