Highway 78 CID Kicks Off Major Study

A portion of the Highway 78 corridor is the focus of a new transportation and land use study that kicks off with a public meeting on June 21.  The study is sponsored by the Highway 78 Community Improvement District (CID), which was awarded a grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) as part of the successful Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Program.  The program funds “quality growth” planning studies that encourage alternative transportation modes and mixed land uses.

The study area is a 2.4 mile section of Highway 78 between Killian Hill Road and McGee Road and incorporates properties about ¼ mile on either side of the right-of-way.  In years past, LCI studies have tended to focus on town centers and major activity centers, but the ARC expanded the program this year to include corridors.

“We saw the LCI Program as another opportunity to help improve the Highway 78 corridor, so we submitted a grant application last fall with the support of both the City of Snellville and Gwinnett County,” explained Brett Harrell, Executive Director of the Highway 78 CID.  “Once the study is complete, we’ll be eligible to receive additional funding to implement transportation improvement projects.”

In conjunction with the LCI study, the CID is overseeing the development of a Landscape Master Plan for seven miles of the corridor.  The plan is intended to compliment the Georgia Department of Transportation’s median installation project, which will eliminate the existing reversible lane system.

“The LCI study will build upon the work that is already planned, such as the new medians, sidewalks and landscaping,” said Harrell. “It will look at additional ways to improve mobility in the area while also identifying opportunities for quality new development.  Snellville went through the same process in 2003, and the City is actively implementing their study’s recommendations.  We look forward to the same momentum and success for the corridor.”