Deadline Nears For Input On Transportation Plan Update

Residents have a little more than week to provide their take on the Cherokee County Comprehensive Transportation Plan update.

Comments will be accepted until Friday, July 10 on information presented during the June 23 and June 25 public open houses, which can be viewed online.

Input can be given online, or submitted via mail to:

Jen Price
Sycamore Consulting, Inc
114 New Street, Suite K-1
Decatur, GA 30030
Attn: Cherokee County CTP

Last week’s two open houses also provided residents with a summary of input provided by residents during an earlier round of public input meetings.

The first round drew 96 attendees and 62 written comments. Key issues and locations outlined by residents include much-needed improvements to S.R. 20/Cumming Highway, the Highway 92-Trickum Road intersection, Towne Lake Parkway, Bells Ferry Road, Highway 92, East Cherokee Drive’s intersection with S.R. 140, Arnold Mill Road, Holly Springs Parkway, Main Street in downtown Woodstock, trail and pedestrian improvements, access management and transit expansion.

Participating residents were also asked how would they spend $10 million on transportation projects in Cherokee County. Capacity improvements ranked first, followed by pedestrian/bike improvements, system preservation, safety improvements, operation improvements and transit expansion.

Every five years, Cherokee County takes a close look at the transportation needs of people who live, work and play throughout the county. This effort, funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission, will examine the many changes that have occurred in the county’s population, employment, land use and development since the adoption of the 2008 Cherokee County Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

The county will work with the public to re-evaluate the goals, visions and investment strategies spelled out in the 2008 plan. Along with an updated prioritized list of SPLOST projects and funding strategy, the updated plan will also focus on existing and future needs, and potential solutions — with a focus on innovative, cost-effective options — will also be identified.

Goals outlined in the plan include: ensuring public safety; increasing accessibility and connectivity; improving mobility and transportation efficiency; supporting multiple modes of transportation; identifying and enhancing key freight routes in the county; enhancing quality of life and community health; minimizing transportation environmental impacts; preserving existing transportation facilities; and engaging in effective public engagement strategies.

Following last week’s input, those working behind the scenes will incorporate public input, finalize the plan to include recommended projects and present the proposal to the County Commission for adoption, which could come in the fall.

Tell us: what are some transportation initiatives you’d like to see the county address?

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