Nearly $17 million announced for Georgia infrastructure projects, including 3 in metro area – WSB-TV Channel 2

The governor’s office said this funding is the fourth most recent loan amount allocated in the program’s history, all four having been during Kemp’s tenure as governor.

(DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for breaking news alerts)

“Our state’s unprecedented economic growth is due in part to our reliable transportation infrastructure network that serves both Georgia’s workers and the job creators who employ them,” Kemp said in a statement. “In order to continue to attract talent and opportunities and maintain our status as the top state for business, we must responsibly finance our infrastructure needs. With this investment, even more communities will benefit from improvements with generational impact.

Peach County will receive $6.6 million, split between a $5.6 million loan and a $1 million grant, according to officials. They said it was the largest award in GTIB’s history, “reflecting continued efforts to prioritize investment in rural areas of the state.” Funding in Peach County will go toward the Lilly Creek Road project, intended to repave dirt roads to improve access to more than 1,000 acres of developable land.

The city of Watkinsville is receiving $3.75 million for the Simonton Bridge Road Pedestrian Improvement Project, which the state says is more than the city’s entire annual budget.

“For decades, residents along busy Simonton Bridge Road have requested a pedestrian connection to downtown Watkinsville,” said Watkinsville Mayor Brian Brodrick. “Given the difficult terrain, limited right-of-way and our small budget, Watkinsville simply could not accomplish this without a very long timeline or outside support. GTIB funding will allow us to accelerate our projects while connecting a new 100-acre park to downtown. We are grateful to Governor Kemp and the SRTA for their support.

TRENDING STORIES:

Three other awards will be presented in Metro Atlanta, Locust Grove, Sandy Springs and Atlanta’s Upper Westside.

According to the governor’s office, Locust Grove will get a $2 million loan and a $2 million grant to build a new two-lane road from Peeksville Road to Frances Ward Drive at the intersection of S.R. 42.

Sandy Springs will receive an $850,000 loan and $650,000 grant for a project to realign Boylston Drive between Hildebrand and Hammond Drive, as well as install new sidewalks.

In the Upper Westside CID, $1 million will be provided in a loan to fund the conversion of one mile of westbound turn lane at Howell Mill and Chattahoochee Avenue to construct a multi-use path and streamline traffic operations. signaling.

“We are pleased that the investments we have made in transportation projects around this state continue to grow. Although we invested $16.9 million statewide this year, $52 million in additional funds were requested, the majority of which was in the form of loans. Thanks to members of the Georgia General Assembly, beginning in fiscal year 2025, the annual GTIB funding allocation from the state Legislature will increase from $13 million to $15.4 million,” said Jannine Miller, SRTA executive director. “This increase in funding will allow GTIB to help even more local governments across the state accelerate project delivery and reduce transportation infrastructure costs for Georgia taxpayers.”

(SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Newsletter)

IN OTHER NEWS: