Transportation SPLOST continues to move closer to appearing on the November 2021 ballot. Henry County commissioners approved the draft intergovernmental agreement on Wednesday, July 7. The IGA outlines the county’s projects if T-SPLOST passes. In addition, McDonough and Stockbridge approved their T-SPLOST projects lists.
The county will now forward the IGA to the four cities. The city councils will consider approving the agreement during their July meetings. Later this month, the BOC will consider calling for the election. If they do, then voters will decide in November whether to approve the local sales tax program. A one-cent T-SPLOST is estimated to collect $245 million over a five-year period.
Henry County T-SPLOST Projects
Henry County would receive $165 million in collections. From which, the county would spend $155 million on major transportation projects. They include the following:
- State Route 81 widening (phase I), Postmaster Drive and Bethany Road — $28 million
- Bill Gardner Parkway widening, I-75 to SR 155 — $34 million
- Jonesboro Road widening, Mill Road to N Mt. Carmel Road — $35 million
- Mill Road widening, Jonesboro Road to Flea Market — $5 million
- McDonough Parkway extension, SR 42 to SR 155 — $14 million
- Rock Quarry Road widening, Hospital Drive to SR 138 — $27 million
- Fairview Road widening, Hearn Road to SR 155 — $12 million
Finally, the major projects would leave about $10 million remaining. The county would divide the funds five ways by commission district. Each district commissioner could use the funds for resurfacing, sidewalks, intersection improvements or bike paths.
McDonough Projects
The McDonough city council approved their project list during the July 1 meeting. The city would receive $27.3 million in collections. McDonough projects focus on intersections, utility relocation, sidewalks and resurfacing.
The city is planning $15.4 million for intersections and utility relocation. Example projects include the following locations:
- State Route 81 widening (phase I), utility relocation — $7.74 million
- SR 20 at Lawrenceville & McGarity Road dual roundabouts, utility relocation — $1.1 million
- Racetrack Road at Travis Drive improvements, utility relocation — $1.125 million
- Racetrack Road at Iris Lake Road improvements, utility relocation — $800k
- Bridges Road at Simpson Street re-alignment — $1.5 million
In addition, the city set aside nearly $3.5 million to invest in sidewalks. Roads such as Old Griffin Road, state route 20 and state route 155 made the list. Sidewalk projects on state highways would be in collaboration with Georgia DOT.
Lastly, McDonough included $5.2 million for road resurfacing.
Stockbridge Projects
The Stockbridge city council held a special called meeting to discuss T-SPLOST projects on Tuesday, July 6. During the meeting, they approved new joint projects with Henry County. In total, the city’s share of T-SPLOST collections would be $30.5 million.
The city included a $4 million dollar contribution to the widening of Rock Quarry Road. This will reduce the county’s share of costs. They also set aside $2 million for the Rock Quarry Road extension. The long-envisioned project would construct a new road between East Atlanta Road and Rock Quarry Road.
Other projects include $800,000 for a downtown pedestrian bridge, $500,000 for Campground Road sidewalks and $300,000 for Peach Drive sidewalks. Trail projects include the following:
- $3 million dollars for Walt Stephens Road trail,
- $2.8 million for Reeves Creek trail extension,
- $2.4 million for Brush Creek, and
- $1.9 million for MLK Sr. Heritage Trail spurs and connections.
Finally, resurfacing Davidson Pkwy and Old Atlanta Road is estimated at $3 million. Both projects also include adding sidewalks. Remaining sidewalk projects total $8.2 million.
Be sure and also check out the proposed projects in Hampton and Locust Grove!
Featured image shows a four-lane road in Georgia with custom road sign overlay. Photo credit Georgia DOT and Sign Maker by Brendon Strowe.
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