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U.S. 78 Construction To Begin Wednesday
By Jerry | September 11, 2007
U.S. 78’s long-planned expansion finally gets going
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/11/07
The wait is just about over.
After more than a decade of planning, the $31 million improvement project on U.S. 78 in Snellville is finally beginning.
Construction crews with the Georgia Department of Transportation will start Wednesday clearing trees in preparation for a major expansion of the highway that should help alleviate some commuter traffic woes.
The project will renovate nearly seven miles of the metro Atlanta artery between Scenic Highway and East Park Place. It includes eliminating reversible lanes and adding more lanes, sidewalks for pedestrians and illuminated street signs, among other improvements.
Officials say the construction will make the highway safer for motorists and pedestrians.
Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer, who once broke his sternum and bruised his heart in an accident on the highway, says he couldn’t be happier.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said Monday. “This has been something we have been waiting on for years.”
U.S. 78 is used as a main thoroughfare to downtown Atlanta for residents living in or near Gwinnett County.
Major portions of the road will be closed over the next two years as construction is under way. However, the work should not affect the commute, said Teri Pope, a DOT communications officer.
“It won’t affect traffic at all except for rubber-neckers,” Pope said. “Most of the work will be done overnight.”
A contract for the project stipulates that, she added.
The roadway will be expanded to six lanes, eliminating reversible lanes that were added to help commuters during rush hour in the morning and evenings.
The construction is being funded through a combination of state, federal and local dollars.
“It’s been quite a long time coming,” said Brett Harrell, executive director of the Evermore Community Improvement District, which covers the area stretching from Snellville City Hall to the DeKalb County line.
The 4-year-old taxing district has been working on the project since it has been in existence. “Each time there was a delay [on the U.S. 78 improvement project], the project got better,” Harrell said.
Evermore has contributed $5 million to the construction project to help beautify the highway. Their signature symbol, a leaf, will be incorporated on illuminated street signs along the roadway. Sidewalks and benches will be added as well as decorative traffic light posts.
New technology will be used to help make the trip down U.S. 78 more pleasant during slow times. Fiber optic technology and traffic sensors will allow signals to change so motorists won’t be delayed when streets are clear.
“This new technology sends information back to the traffic signal frequently so you don’t have to sit and wait two minutes for a red light if there is no cross traffic,” Harrell said.
The project is expected to be completed by fall 2009.
Said Pope, of the state DOT: “This project will change the way people in Northeast Georgia travel.”
About the project
- $31 million improvement project.
- Starts Wednesday.
- Most road work will occur between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. weekdays. Weekend hours vary.
- Improved pedestrian access throughout the corridor with sidewalks on each side of US 78 and benches along the corridor.
- Internally illuminated street signs.
- Decorative black mast arms to support traffic signals.
- Three lanes in each direction of U.S. 78.
- Removal of the reversible lane system.
- Expected completion date: Nov. 30, 2009
About U.S. Highway 78
- U.S. 78 is used as a main thoroughfare to downtown Atlanta for residents living in or near Gwinnett County.
- Motorists make an average of 63,000 trips per day along Highway 78 at Lake Lucerne near Stone Mountain.
- In Snellville, motorists travel an average of about 33,000 trips per day on U.S. 78 at Scenic Highway.
- More than 16,000 employees work in 1,585 business located along Highway 78.
Ceremony planned
- What: Ribbon-cutting ceremony launching the roadway improvement project.
- When: 1 p.m. Friday .
- Where: Mountain East Shopping Center at 5295 Highway 78.
- Who: Representatives from the Gwinnett County Commission, the Evermore Community Improvement District, and the city of Snellville among others are scheduled to attend.
- Info: Call the Evermore Community Improvement District at 770-979-5800 or visit http://evermorecid.org.
Article URL: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2007/09/11/highway_0911.html
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