(Lawrenceville, Ga., May 22, 2024) – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners acted on several initiatives during their May 7 and May 14 meetings. A recap of what was approved follows.
Grants support reduction in prison population
Gwinnett’s accountability courts will apply to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for nearly $1 million in grants to fund new and existing programs that help to reduce the prison population. The drug, DUI, mental health and veterans’ treatment courts as well as the juvenile drug, behavioral health, and family treatment courts programs provide evidence-based treatment, drug testing and training opportunities to improve the lives of participants. Each of the seven grants requires a 15% percent in-kind match. Commissioners authorized acceptance of the grants if awarded.
Road enhancements coming to Scenic Highway
To improve roadway infrastructure, the Gwinnett County is partnering with the Georgia Department of Transportation on two road improvement projects to widen Scenic Highway from U.S. 78 to Sugarloaf Parkway. The highway will be widened to three travel lanes in each direction with a raised median and urban border areas. Together, both projects cover a total length of 4.4 miles.
The primary goal of these projects is to reduce congestion and increase safety. During the engineering phase, GDOT will conduct a comprehensive study to identify cost saving measures by reviewing the designs. The $85,000 cost of this study is funded by the 2017 SPLOST program.
Gwinnett County is also applying for multiple Atlanta Regional Commission grants that could fund up to $20.7 million to improve mobility across the county, including Scenic Highway from Main Street to Ronald Reagan Parkway, the Loop Trail and pedestrian bridges over Satellite Boulevard at Commerce Avenue and over Pleasant Hill Road near Gwinnett Place Mall. The County will provide a required $5 million match funded by SPLOST.
Pedestrian improvements coming near Jimmy Carter Boulevard
Construction will soon begin on the installation of new sidewalks, addressing gaps along the north side of Britt Road from Old Norcross-Tucker Road to Jimmy Carter Boulevard. The enhancement also includes a new traffic signal with pedestrian crossing facilities at the entrance of Lucky Shoals Park on Britt Road. The $756,500 contract, funded by the 2017 SPLOST program, was awarded to Backbone Infrastructure, LLC.
Water main replacement proposed for Mountain Park area
Commissioners gave the go ahead to the Department of Water Resources to apply for a grant that will fund the replacement of two miles of aging water distribution mains in two Mountain Park area neighborhoods. If grant funds are awarded, construction will begin next January with anticipated completion in December 2026. In addition to the $2.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the County will match 20% of the total project cost.
