Peachtree Corners Reports Public Works Project Roundup

Major construction of sidewalks, road improvements, city enhancements set for completion by year’s end.

In the overview of the FY 2022 Budget, the city of Peachtree Corners outlined a mission to create, enhance, and maintain the city infrastructure.

“For the past seven years, the City Council has been persistent in its focus on providing the resources and support to address our infrastructure needs from paving and sidewalks to the addition of stormwater. The continues the aggressive progress on the capital paving plan along with significant investments into sidewalk improvements and will continue the implementation of the stormwater capital improvement plan,” it stated.

Recently, the city made good on this promise by providing an update on several specific activities that support the spending of $2 million for paving of city roads, $1 million for improvements and maintenance to the stormwater drainage system, and $950,000 in new sidewalks and streetlights.

Gunnin Road Sidewalks

The project includes adding sidewalks on the west side of Gunnin Road from Spalding Drive to Willbanks Drive.

The Peachtree Corners City Council approved a contract a year ago for the city’s 2020 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant and Special Local Option Sales Tax sidewalk program for sidewalks on Gunnin Road. Council awarded a $723,388 contract with Construction 57 Inc. The 2020 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation paid $421,439.56 of that total. The project includes constructing concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter, storm drainage improvements, retaining walls, and grading.

Like many construction projects around the county, it has been delayed due to supply shortages, construction schedules, and the impact of COVID.

City officials anticipate a new completion date sometime this spring.

Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant Sidewalk Program

Sidewalk installation has begun on the east side of Jones Mill Road from Green Pointe Parkway to Peachtree Corners Circle, both sides of Peachtree Corners Circle from Peachtree Industrial Blvd to Jones Mill Spur and Engineering Drive from SR 141 to the next driveway. This sets up for a future trail opportunity. The project also includes a speed table on Town Center Boulevard. The budgeted cost for expenditures this year are $700,000.

When all 11 originally approved sidewalk projects are complete, they will add nearly 32,000 feet of sidewalks to Peachtree Corners streets. The original plan from 2017 included:

• Corners Parkway

• Crooked Creek Road

• Frank Neely Road

• Holcomb Bridge Road

• Jay Bird Alley

• Peachtree Corners Circle multiuse trail

• Peachtree Corners Circle

• Spalding Drive

• Technology Parkway

• Technology Parkway South

• Winters Chapel Road

In addition to installing sidewalks, two pedestrian crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons were also part of the 2017 plan. The project is near completion and should be finished by this spring.

Bush Road and Medlock Bridge Road

The intersection improvement project at Bush Road and Medlock Bridge Road adds an extra through lane on Medlock Bridge Road and an additional slip lane from Bush Road onto SR 141/Peachtree Parkway. It comes with a price tag of $1.2 million from the FY 2022 budget.

This project includes:

• Two lanes added to northbound Medlock Bridge Road to accommodate a left turn lane
• Through lane leading to SR 141 South
• Through lane to East Jones Bridge Road
• Through and right turn lane leading to both Bush Road and the slip ramp leading to North SR 141
• Second right turn lane added to Bush Road that leads directly to the SR 141 slip ramp
• New traffic signal installed to aid in the operation of these new lanes
• Widening and traffic signal on Medlock Bridge Road and Bush Road

In addition, this project also includes a new concrete sidewalk, island, curb and gutter, asphalt paving, drainage improvements, modular block retaining wall, overhead signs, ornamental fence and ornamental trees. 

Although most of the work is completed, there are still several remaining components to finish: 

• Overhead utility relocation
• Traffic signal installation
• SR 141 slip lane construction
• Concrete island and ADA ramp construction
• Final asphalt layer installation
• Guardrail, sod, decorative trees, ornamental fence, signing and marking
• Remaining Schedule/Milestones (estimated):
• Georgia Power to set three joint-use poles and five utility poles – Mid December 2021
• Traffic Signal Installation
• Overhead facilities relocated to new poles by Georgia Power, Comcast, AT&T, Zayo – February 2022
• Existing pole removal by Georgia Power
• Guardrail, signs, fencing, trees, filling gaps in sidewalk, curb and gutter, sod, final asphalt paving and striping

Even though the list appears to be daunting, the project has an anticipated completion date for this summer.

Town Center Corners Connector

The FY 2022 Budget includes funding to complete two segments of Corners Connector, the multi-use trail system. The Town Center segment will connect Peachtree Parkway and Peachtree Corners Circle and provide a pedestrian link from both roadways to the Town Green. The FY 2022 Budget also includes funding to complete the planning and engineering for two additional segments of the Corners Connector: Crooked Creek Trail and Engineering Trail.

Although construction is still ongoing, it is scheduled for completion this summer.

Bankers Industrial Bioretention and Stormwater Installation

The project will install 10 linear bioretention cells/bioswales totaling up to 13,00 square feet along Bankers Industrial Drive.  

Although several stormwater systems within city limits are maintained by the state or the county, the city of Peachtree Corners is tasked with maintain the stormwater drainage system within the city’s  right of way and stormwater pipe systems in residential subdivisions with recorded drainage easements dedicated to the city that are attached to the right of way.

The city accepting a bid proposal in March and the project is currently under utility relocation. The contractor will start immediately upon completion. The project is set to be completed this summer.

Town Center Enhancements

Construction is underway for a new playground at Town Center including walls, sidewalks and shade structures. So far, drainage lines have been installed and grading is ongoing. Soil testing for the playground foundation is also underway.

The project is scheduled for completion this summer.

Spalding Drive Widening

Spalding Drive is set for widening from Winters Chapel Road to Holcomb Bridge Road. The project also includes the widening of the bridge over Crooked Creek.

“If you’ve ever driven on Spalding Drive between Winters Chapel Road and Holcomb Bridge Road during rush hour, you’ve probably experienced significant delays and extended wait times, said Councilmember Phil Sadd in advance of a Town Hall meeting addressing city improvements. “At the town hall meeting, we will provide an overview of the Spalding Drive project and explain how it will help improve traffic flow and increase pedestrian safety.”

This year’s budget included $900,000 from the city to be paired with planned GDOT improvements to the intersection of Spalding Drive and SR 140.

Construction is underway but it had a slight delay in April 2021. The issues were resolved in June 2021 and construction is ongoing. Completion is scheduled for this fall.

East Jones Bridge Riverlands Trail

As part of the city’s continued commitment to the expansion of the Corners Connector Trail System, the East Jones Bridge Road Multi-Use Trail Project is now underway.

This project consists of approximately 1.65 miles of 12-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail connecting SR 141/Peachtree Parkway to Jones Bridge Park. Construction began at SR 141 and continues north until completion at Jones Bridge Park. Some adjustments and stormwater revisions had to be located near Broadgreen.

The scheduled completion date is sometime this fall.