Georgia’s Department of Transportation will help pay for $42 million of the $101 million worth of transportation projects for Cobb County, which includes 17 projects designed to improve road improvements, way-finding signage and pedestrian trails. The list of projects was submitted to GDOT in mid August and the state has already responded, in less than a month, which shows the urgency that has been placed on alleviating Cobb congestion.
Jay Roberts, Director of Planning for GDOT, stated in response to the request, “The projects selected reflect our continued commitment to alleviate congestion and improve mobility in the northwest corridor.”
So even though the state turned down half of the requested amount in terms of dollars, they have agreed to pay a huge portion of the cost of these projects, and those are dollars that Cobb’s taxpayers will not have to foot the entire bill. The state declined to contribute to the cost of the planned multi-use bridge over I-285, but did say yes to the following:
Construction of a four-lane road connecting Windy Hill at Spectrum Circle to Terrell Mill at Bentley Drive. The GDOT will pay $12 million of the $30 million cost.
Widening of the Windy Ridge Parkway Bridge over I-75. GDOT will pay $7.75 million of the $10 million cost.
Installation of message boards on interstates and major routes in the area. GDOT will pay $5million of the $5.5million cost.
Intersection improvements at the intersection of Cobb Pkwy, the I-285 WB section at Spring Road/Circle 75 Pkwy. GDOT will pay $4.7 million of the $5.2 cost.
Realignment of Interstate North Pkwy at Interstate North Circle. GDOT will pay $4.5 million of the $4.55 million cost.
New turn lanes and sidewalks along Cumberland Blvd. from Akers Mill Rd to Spring Rd. GDOT will pay $2.15 million of the $7.05 million cost.
Installation of additional CCTV cameras to monitor traffic flow. GDOT will pay $2 million toward the $2.05 million cost.
Pedestrian improvements on Interstate North Pkwy from Windy Hill Ridge Pkwy to the Atlanta Marriott NW. GDOT will pay $1.45 million of the $1.6 million cost.
New signage along the interstates in the Cumberland area. GDOT will pay $1 million of the $1.1 million cost.
Adding turn-lane capacity at Windy Ridge Pkwy and Cobb Pkwy. GDOT will pay $750, 000 of the $800,000 cost.
Adding another right-turn lane on the I-285 EB ramp at Cobb Pkwy. GDOT will pay $650,000 of the $550,000 cost.
Many will complain that Georgia taxpayers are already supporting the Braves’ move to Cobb. But the Braves are a regional draw, attracting fans not just from Cobb, and not just from the metro area, but from all over the state and beyond. It only makes sense for taxpayers from beyond Cobb’s borders to help foot those costs. Cobb taxpayers and their counterparts around the state have been paying for decades for the cost of operating and expanding attractions such as the Georgia World Congress Center, Turner Field, the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena and the roads that service them.
But at the end of the day these state funds will go a long way in creating a better experience for Braves’ fans, as well as for those traveling the area on all the other non-game days.