MHF News answers your questions! Have a burning question about Henry County? Submit it now and Ask the Editor.
March 20, 2023
Q: Are there any new senior apartments under construction?
A: Willow Place is under construction of highway 155 in McDonough. The new income-based senior apartments expect to open later this year. MHF News is not actively aware of other senior apartments under construction.
Q: Are there any plans for building new schools in the Timber Ridge / Ola area?
A: The current education SPLOST program includes building classroom additions at Ola High and Ola Middle. Design work for the middle school addition begins this fall. The next E-SPLOST referendum in 2026 will provide an opportunity for additional future projects.
Q: What areas of highway 20 are scheduled to be widened?
A: The Georgia 20 widening project extends between I-75 and Phillips Drive in McDonough. Georgia DOT issued the notice to proceed for road work to begin on March 7.
Q: What times do the school zone speed cameras operate?
A: The school zone cameras operate from one hour before the school day begins to one hour after the school day ends. This includes the middle of the day when the normal speed limit is in effect.
Q: Will there be a traffic light at highway 42 at Harris Drive?
A: Yes, Henry County worked with Georgia DOT to secure funding and state approval for a new traffic light in 2022. There is not presently an update when installation may occur.
Q: Is Costco building on Jodeco Road?
A: Costco does not comment on upcoming stores, nor is a new Georgia location listed as coming soon on their website. MHF News has not been able to independently verify whether Costco is building a location within Henry County.
March 2, 2023
Q: Will there be sidewalks on the Jonesboro Road widening?
A: Yes, the widening project will have sidewalks on either side of the road.
Q: When will right of way acquisition for the Bethlehem Road interchange take place?
A: Right of way acquisition should begin later this year. An open house with the latest concept layout is expected in the very near future.
Q: What is building at the corner of state route 20 and Airline Road?
A: Henry County approved two rezoning requests at the location in 2021. On the southeast corner will be new commercial development. Plans include a gas station and self-storage business. On the southwest corner will be a new subdivision.
Q: When will the roundabout at Georgia 20 and McGarity Road commence?
A: The project is presently in right of way acquisition. Georgia DOT has postponed construction until 2025.
Q: Do you have any insight as to why Bill Gardner Parkway will be widened to four lanes before highways 155 or 42?
A: The transportation SPLOST project list consists predominantly of major projects along local roads. Through the use of local funding, the county can complete a local road project years sooner than if using state or federal funds for the same project.
Widening state highways is largely dependent on financial assistance from Georgia DOT because of the high price tag. The cost estimate to widen highway 155 between I-75 and Bill Gardner Parkway is $72 million dollars. By comparison, the Bill Gardner Parkway widening costs $34 million.
Q: Will there be a MARTA bus station in McDonough?
A: There are no plans for MARTA to operate in Henry County. The county completed a transit master plan in 2022 identifying future transit plans. The full plan is available to view on the county website (PDF link – 407 pages).