The Atlanta Regional Commission is currently accepting public comment on the FY 2018-2023 Transportation Improvement Program and the enclosed projects are good news for Henry County.
The Transportation Improvement Program allocates federal and state funding to the highest-priority projects in metro Atlanta. Henry County is one of twenty counties included in the Atlanta Regional Commission planning area.
The biggest news was previously featured with Henry County set to receive $44.1 million of new state funding for the Western Parallel Connector. The connector has ARC project number HE-179.
Other state-funded widening projects are on schedule with US Highway 23 / State Route 42 (project HE-107) and State Route 155 (project HE-113) given construction funding. These two projects represent a collective $130 million investment into Henry County.
State Route 42 will be widened between State Route 138 in Stockbridge and the McDonough Square. Construction is set for 2022. State Route 155 includes widening from I-75 to State Route 42. Construction will start in 2023.
Included for the first time within TIP are the I-75 commercial truck lanes from Macon to State Route 155, assigned identification number AR-318. These northbound-only lanes are part of the governor’s Major Mobility Investment Program. The MMIP is Governor Deal’s ten-year promise of major road projects after the 2015 state gas tax increase.
Little is known about the truck lanes, such as access points or potential use of tolls; however, the project will enter preliminary engineering this year. Additional studies are needed to ensure this project is a wise investment of $1.8 billion dollars.
More information, including the complete project list, is available on the ARC website. Public comments are being accepted through July 20, 2017. Copy the message below and email it to (transportation@atlantaregional.com) to show your support for Henry County transportation improvements.
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I, ________, as a Henry County resident support the FY 2018-2023 TIP Update and the increased funding for Henry County projects.
The allocation of $44.1 million to fund HE-179, the Western Parallel Connector, will benefit thousands of commuters once constructed. The connector will serve as a vital bypass of Interstate 75 congestion and encourage commercial growth.
HE-107 for US Highway 23 and HE-113 for State Route 155 represent major corridors within Henry County. The awarding of construction funds for these highway widening’s will keep projects on schedule and ensure their completion in a timely manner.
The commercial truck lanes, AR-318, are the first-of-their-kind within the United States and need to be carefully studied before full implementation. The Georgia Department of Transportation and Atlanta Regional Commission should work with all counties along the proposed route to deliver the best investment of public funds.
ARC’s continued investment into Henry County represents investment into the premier county of south metro Atlanta. Quality road projects encourage economic development and improve residential quality of life.
Signed,
_______
Henry County Resident