East Cobb Traffic & Roads Archives

More than 100 hands-free citations given near Big Chicken intersection

June 19, 2019 5:24 PMJune 19, 2019 4:43 PM by Wendy Parker

Big Chicken traffic citations

For a couple of hours this morning, a few dozen police officers (some posing undercover as road workers) cracked down on distracted drivers around the Big Chicken, the intersection of Roswell Road and Cobb Parkway, and gave out between 100 and 150 citations.

That area includes the Roswell Road access point for the Northwest Corridor managed lanes, and the number of citations is an estimate that is expected to rise.

Marietta Police said the undertook the planned enforcement detail because in recent months they’ve seen an increase in the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers.

Officers from Marietta and Cobb Police and the Georgia State Patrol worked in 40 marked vehicles, and the “goal was to re-educate drivers about the importance of safe driving, specifically seat belt use” as well as the Georgia hands free law (the do’s and don’ts are here) that went into effect a year ago.

Here’s more from Officer Chuck McPhilamy, the Marietta PD’s public information officer, and sent out on social media this afternoon, including information on how the court process works if you get a citation:

1. Driving is a PRIVILEGE not a RIGHT. When we sign for our driver’s license we agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the road as established by our elected government officials.

2. The tickets for distracted driving, according to the law, can ALL be waived the first time if you appear in court and show evidence that you have a blue tooth device in your vehicle now, after that the first fine is $50 and (1) point, then it climbs in increments of $50 and one point for each additional violation.

3. The goal is to make the roads safe, these tickets are the government’s way of trying to get people to obey the law.

4. EVERYONE can simply pull over into a parking space and use their phone any way they like. The law only prohibits the use of an electronic device while also operating a vehicle.

5. If we had even more marked vehicles available, even more violators would have been issued citations – this is clearly a law being violated.

Regardless of your stance, know that we all went out this morning with the goal of making your ability to drive in Marietta as safe as possible.

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Townhome demolition contract approved as part of Windy Hill-Terrell Mill Connector project

June 13, 2019 4:26 PMJune 13, 2019 12:43 PM by Wendy Parker

Windy Hill-Terrell Mill Connector project

Cobb commissioners on Tuesday approved spending nearly $275,000 to demolish 27 townhomes as part of the Windy Hill-Terrell Mill Connector project.

The low bid of $274,055 by Tucker Grading and Hauling was adopted by a 4-0 vote (chairman Mike Boyce was absent).

The demolition of 27 units at the Turnberry Lane Townhomes is part of a larger demolition project that also includes 12 units of the Terrell Ridge Condominiums, and six units at The Woods Condominiums.

In April the commissioners approved a contract for $289,109 to Tucker Grading and Hauling for asbestos removal of the Turnberry Lane and The Woods buildings.

Last month, another $70,800 was approved to tear town The Woods.

The three communities are at the northern end of the $33.5 million connector project, which will be four lanes wide and 0.8 miles long.

The county purchases those properties to keep the project on schedule.

Construction is slated to begin later this year and is expected to be finished by early 2022.

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East Cobb traffic update: Injuries reported in Roswell Road crash

June 11, 2019 9:12 AM by Wendy Parker

Roswell Road crash

Eastbound traffic on Roswell Road near Old Canton Road has been bottlenecked more than usual this morning due to a multi-vehicle crash not far from the intersection that’s led to injuries.

That’s according to Officer Neil Penirelli, Cobb Police spokesman. The accident took place on Roswell Road at Blackwell Farms Road (blue star) and prompted the closure of one eastbound lane.

Penirelli said he didn’t have details immediately about those injured.

Around 9:10 a.m., Cobb Police said all traffic lanes have reopened on eastbound Roswell Road.

This story will be updated.

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East Cobb Traffic Update: Sandy Plains Road reopened at Ebenezer Road

May 29, 2019 4:23 PMMay 28, 2019 2:20 PM by Wendy Parker

Sandy Plains Road closed — *Sandy Plains Road at Trickum Road Wednesday afternoon, after traffic reopened. (Ga. 511 camera photo)*

UPDATED WEDNESDAY, 2:30 P.M.: Cobb DOT says Sandy Plains Road has reopened at Ebenezer Road this morning, after the completion of emergency repairs that closed the intersection overnight.

UPDATED TUESDAY, 5:20 P.M.: Cobb government has said just now that at water main break has closed Sandy Plains Road at Ebenezer Road, and that crews are headed there to make repairs.

UPDATED TUESDAY, 3:15 P.M.: Cobb DOT is diverting southbound Sandy Plains Road traffic onto Bryant Lane, and northbound traffic onto Ebenezer Road.

The water main break, which an East Cobb News reader said was caused by a truck striking a hydrant, took place at an intersection that’s undergoing construction work along Sandy Plains.

DOT the water flow has caused Sandy Plains to be “undermined,” and that the closure “is expected to be a long-term event.”

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Georgia DOT Memorial Day weekend lane closures to be suspended

May 24, 2019 11:28 AM by Wendy Parker

From the Georgia DOT:

The Georgia Department of Transportation will scale back road construction activities across metro Atlanta and suspend construction-related lane closures on all interstate and major state routes to ease Memorial Day weekend traffic congestion.

Starting at noon on Friday, May 24 and continuing to 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2019, there will be no construction-related scheduled lane closures on any Georgia interstate highway – including metro Atlanta Interstates 20, 75, 85, 285 and 675 or any primary state route that directly serves Georgia’s major tourist and recreation centers.

The Department notes that some work may continue on lesser-traveled state and local system roads and that incident or emergency maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary on any route. If motor vehicle accidents occur on any roadway, temporary lane closures may be installed until the scenes are cleared.

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Cobb Forward transportation survey continues through the end of May

May 17, 2019 6:43 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb forward transportation survey

Cobb Forward, the county’s comprehensive transportation update, is seeking public feedback via an online survey that continues through the end of May, and that takes just a few minutes to complete.

(Take the survey here.)

It asks participants to state their priorities for roads, transit, trails, cost efficiencies, safety and technology and innovation upgrades and options.

This is the first Cobb CTP (explainer here) to incorporate a broad base of information, including technology (i.e. autonomous vehicles), land use and other factors besides roads and transit.

A series of town hall meetings was conducted around the county this spring (presentation links here), and the next phase will be a needs assessment, expected later this year.

Recommendations will be made early in 2020 for the plan update, which will become part of the Cobb 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

That’s slated to be adopted by county commissioners in 2021.

Citizens help map Cobb’s transportation future

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Cobb I-75 repaving work scheduled along Marietta exits this weekend

May 16, 2019 5:10 PM by Wendy Parker

From the Cobb communications office:

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contractors will implement overnight lane closures on I-75 this weekend for resurfacing. Expect some traffic delays.

Weather permitting, these are the lane closures scheduled for Friday, May 17 from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Monday, May 20:

Two right lanes and right shoulder lane will be closed on I-75 southbound between the Canton Road and Delk Road exits;

Three right lanes will be closed on I-75 northbound between the I-75/I-285 interchange and the Canton Road exit.

Overhead signs and message boards in the Marietta area will alert drivers of the closures in advance. These major closures reduce prolonged impacts to the traveling public by condensing the crews and equipment needed and ensuring safety for workers and drivers.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes to their destinations and/or allow extra travel time for traffic delays.

As always, motorists traveling in the area are reminded to reduce their speeds in the work zone. Motorists are also encouraged to wear seatbelts, eliminate distractions behind the wheel, and plan their routes before getting on the road by calling 511 for real-time information on work status and traffic conditions.

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Lower Roswell Road bridge over Sope Creek to undergo repairs

May 16, 2019 4:20 PMMay 15, 2019 9:32 AM by Wendy Parker

Cobb commissioners on Tuesday approved a project to repair the bridge over Sope Creek on Lower Roswell Road.

Georgia Bridge and Concrete, LLC submitted a low bid (out of four received) of $356,440 and was awarded the contract. The funding comes from the 2016 Cobb SPLOST.

The project will consist of resealing bridge joints, replacing, drainage structures, patching existing concrete, stabilizing an approach slab, and installing polymer overlay.

Work will begin 60 days after the contractor gets permission to proceed.

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Vintage Lower Roswell Road home torn down at Woodlawn Drive

May 16, 2019 1:23 PMMay 14, 2019 10:24 AM by Wendy Parker

1930s Lower Roswell Road home — *A photo of the former Wilce Frasier home taken over the winter, as the land was put up for sale. (ECN file)*

One of the older buildings in East Cobb stands no more. A home more than 100 years old and located at 4658 Lower Roswell Road, at Woodlawn Drive, has been demolished by Cobb County government, which has had plans for several years to rework the intersection.

The demolition of the home and two smaller structures behind it took place following an expedited decision granted by Cobb commissioners on April 30 to County Manager Rob Hosack, at a cost of $18,625.

A low bid for the demolition work was awarded to Tucker Grading & Hauling, with the funds coming from the 2011 Cobb SPLOST account, according to a memo to Hosack from Cobb DOT Director Erica Parish and dated Tuesday.

The demolition was necessary, according to the memo, because the properties were in poor condition and trespassing had been taking place there.

On Tuesday, commissioners “ratified” the decision to tear down the buildings by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb was absent. The memo was included as an agenda item.

The home had been vacant since Jan. 2018, when the homeowner, Wilce Frasier Jr., died at the age of 93. According to deed records with the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk’s office, Frasier had lived in the home since the early 1960s.

A family member, Lisa Frasier McCalvin, said the home dates from the late 1800s: “Wilce grew up in this house with his brothers and sisters . . . . it never left our family . . . . the memories I have of playing in that house are some of my fondest from my childhood.”

Wilce Frasier’s obituary noted that he was a Navy veteran during World War II and worked at Lockheed-Georgia for 30 years, and that he is buried at the Mt. Bethel church cemetery just around the corner on Johnson Ferry Road.

(After we posted this story, a reader passed along a link to a slideshow remembrance of Frasier.)

His heirs had been in negotiations with Cobb DOT regarding right-of-way for the intersection improvements. The 0.9 acres owned by Frasier, put up for sale over the winter, has been sold. It had been marketed for possible commercial use.

The intersection project is part of Lower Roswell Road improvements stretching from Woodlawn, across Johnson Ferry Road and to Davidson Road and is part of the 2011 SPLOST.

A contract for the project was approved in 2012 but the county still needs to make more right-of-way acquisitions.

The improvements at Lower Roswell and Woodlawn will include installing a median and additional turn lanes at a clogged intersection.

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Georgia DRIVES updating title and vehicle registration system in May

May 6, 2019 2:16 PMMay 6, 2019 9:09 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

Plan ahead if you are going to to register your car title in May. Georgia will be upgrading its title and vehicle registrations starting May 21, leading to some services being unavailable and reduced office hours until the end of the month.

The system upgrade, called the Georgia Driver Record and Integrated Vehicle Enterprise System, will make online and kiosk services unavailable May 21-27. In preparation for the upgrade, some county tag offices will have reduced hours and fewer services available May 21-23 and May 28-29. All vehicle registration and titling services will be unavailable statewide May 24–27.

For more information, go to the Georgia DRIVES resource page.

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East Cobb Traffic Update: Terrell Mill Road reopened at Powers Ferry after gas main break

April 29, 2019 2:59 PMApril 29, 2019 12:07 PM by Wendy Parker

Terrell Mill Road closed

UPDATED, 3 P.M. MONDAY:

Cobb DOT said one westbound lane of Terrell Mill has reopened to traffic, but another is closed so crews can finish repairing the gas line.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Around 11 a.m. Monday Cobb DOT closed Terrell Mill Road westbound just east of the intersection of Powers Ferry Road, due to a gas main break.

Terrell Mill also is closed at the Delk Road intersection.

There’s some related construction work visible in the Georgia 511 screen grab photo above by the BP station that’s the apparent source of the break.

Cobb DOT has released this map to indicate where the road closures are in place.

The detour that’s been set up is to cut into the Powers Ferry Plaza Shopping Center, right before the fire engine seen blocking traffic.

There’s a traffic signal out of Powers Ferry Plaza and onto Powers Ferry Road located near the Micro Center computer store.

Citizens take part in helping map Cobb’s transportation future

April 29, 2019 10:51 AM by Wendy Parker

With Crayolas, magic markers and a wide variety of maps as their canvas, citizens are getting a chance to state their preferences for how they’d like to get around the county, and elsewhere, as part of Cobb’s transportation future.

For Stephen Ake of East Cobb, his issues are on several levels, and in multiple places. He took part in a public meeting at the East Cobb Library, and they continue this week and into May.

The project is called Cobb Forward, and the more formal designation is the Cobb Transportation Plan, which is updated every five years.

Current and future trends

They were treated to a vast array of data about Cobb population growth, home prices, education and employment patterns and future land use projections.

The information was so voluminous that some complained about it not being posted online (that’s supposed to happen soon) for them to view in advance.

All the numbers and analysis will be used to build on the 2040 Cobb Comprehensive Plan, and it’s the first CTP to incorporate a broad base of information, including technology (i.e. autonomous vehicles), land use and other factors besides roads and transit.

While Cobb’s population reached 750,000 last year, that growth is slowing a bit, up just one percent between 2017-18.

Cobb’s minority population continues to rise, in terms of number and percentage, to more than 330,000, or around 42 percent of all Cobb citizens.

How Cobb residents get around matters too, with around 125,000 people who both live and work in the county, with 60 percent of residents leaving to go to work. There are an estimated 300,000 jobs in Cobb.

What’s also playing into the future transportation dynamic are growing desires for walking and biking options.

Wish lists

At a table with several other citizens, Ake placed a green pin at a spot on the map along Delk Road, near his workplace, that he thinks ought to have a raised median for safety reasons. “What they’re doing on Sandy Plains now [near Sprayberry High School] they ought to do it there, too.”

Other citizens told members of the consulting firm staff they liked the idea of more roundabouts (such as one at Lower Roswell and Little Willeo Road) and the diverging diamond on Windy Hill Road over I-75.

Transit in East Cobb is rare, with the only CobbLinc bus route traveling along Powers Ferry Road. Some expressed an interest in high-speed rail along I-75, a possible bus route from Johnson Ferry into Sandy Springs, and transit to the Marietta Square.

As for trails, completing the Noonday Creek Trail is something Ake said he’d like to see (such an option is recommended in the 2018 Cobb DOT Greenways and Trails Master Plan.)

Funding for that possibility, as well as what may come out of the Cobb Forward meetings, is another issue.

For now, the project consultants working for Cobb DOT are simply taking in the feedback, with the pledge that “everything is on the table,” before coming up with a list of feasible projects.

An online survey can be completed here through the end of May. You’ll be asked to list priorities for a number of transportation-related issues, how to allocate transportation funding and mark up maps on your own wish list.

After the town halls, a needs assessment will be conducted later this year, with recommendations made next year and final approval slated for 2021.

Cobb's transportation future

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Georgia gas prices continue to climb; metro Atlanta leads state

April 29, 2019 7:01 AM by Wendy Parker

Georgia gas prices

From the The Auto Club Group of the American Automobile Association, which includes the state of Georgia:

Georgia gas prices are up this week compared to a week ago. Georgia drivers are now paying an average of $2.73 per gallon for regular unleaded- 3 cents more than a week ago and 13 cents more than this time last month. However, drivers are only paying 1 cent more than this same time last year.

Motorists are paying an average of $40.95 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline; a discount of $1.05 from when prices were their highest last May.

“Gasoline prices nationwide continue to rise,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA- The Auto Club Group. “The market price for crude and gasoline are major factors as well as local supply and demand.”

EIA (Energy Information Administration)

In its latest weekly petroleum report, the Energy Information Administration revealed that while demand decreased slightly to 9.41 million b/d last week, the rate is more than 325,000 b/d higher than where it was last year at this time. Alongside healthy demand, total domestic stocks of gasoline fell by 2.2 million bbl to 225.8 million bbl last week – 11 million bbl lower than the total stock level during this same week in 2018. Two other contributing factors are the switch over to more expensive to produce summer blend gasoline and reduced gasoline production as a result of maintenance at refineries across the country. As a result, American motorists should expect increased pump prices as demand remains robust and stocks dwindle.

Regional Prices

Most expensive metro markets – Atlanta ($2.79), Athens ($2.76), Gainesville ($2.75)

Least expensive metro markets – Albany ($2.61), Columbus ($2.59), Warner ($2.59)

To view current gas price averages click here.

Gas Price Survey Methodology

AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.

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Wheeler crosswalk improvements get go-ahead from Cobb commissioners

April 25, 2019 4:06 PM by Wendy Parker

Wheeler crosswalk improvements, Wheeler High School

Updating a story from a couple weeks ago, following a pedestrian accident in front of Wheeler High School in March that seriously injured two students: the crosswalk improvement project was approved Tuesday by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

Cobb DOT and the Cobb County School District are teaming up to finance the safety changes. Here’s a summary of what’s going to happen; the cost is $22,450, with the school district paying $9,758 for two rectangular rapid flashing signs within a raised median (similar to what’s on Lower Roswell Road at the Sewell Mill Library).

The other work includes creating a single crosswalk, closing off the parking lot at the former East Cobb Middle School from Holt Road access, improved street lighting and updated signs alerting drivers as they approach the crosswalk.

The students who were injured were struck as it was getting dark by a driver who was later cited, but not charged, by Cobb Police.

The crosswalk will be relocated to the intersection of Holt Road and Club Way, close to the Wheeler gym entrance, and combined with an existing crosswalk.

The county says the contractors will meet on May 1 to map out a construction schedule following the end of the school year. Wheeler holds its graduation at the gym on May 22.

The crosswalk area could be redone later, after Eastvalley Elementary School is relocated to the former ECMS site.

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Update: Weather cancels I-75 resurfacing work in Cobb this weekend

April 19, 2019 4:26 PMApril 19, 2019 1:45 PM by Wendy Parker

I-75 resurfacing in Cobb — *I-75 at Delk Road Friday morning. (Georgia 511 photo)*

UPDATE, 2:32 P.M.: Inclement weather has prompted Georgia DOT to cancel the resurfacing work this weekend. The forecast calls for rain all day Saturday with the sun to return on Sunday.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

From the Georgia Department of Transportation:

Contractors for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will implement daytime and nighttime lane and ramp closures in the Marietta area on I-75 in Cobb County this weekend to continue resurfacing activities.

Weather permitting, these are the scheduled closures:

Three left lanes will be closed on I-75 northbound from 9 p.m. on Friday, April 19 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22 from the Windy Hill Road exit to the Delk Road exit;

One center lane will be closed on I-75 northbound from 9 p.m. on Friday, April 19 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22 from the Terrell Mill exit to the Delk Road exit.

The right shoulder lane on I-75 at the South Marietta Parkway exit will be closed from 1 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22; and

The on-ramp to I-75 southbound from South Marietta Parkway will be closed from 1 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22. Message boards in the area will direct drivers to Delk Road to access I-75 southbound.

Overhead signs and message boards in the Marietta area will alert drivers of the closures in advance and will direct drivers to the next open exit to access I-75.

These major closures reduce prolonged impacts to the traveling public by condensing the crews and equipment needed and ensuring safety for workers and drivers. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2019.

As always, motorists traveling in the area are reminded to reduce their speeds in the work zone. Motorists are also encouraged to wear seatbelts, eliminate distractions behind the wheel, and plan their routes before getting on the road by calling 511 for real-time information on work status and traffic conditions.

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East Cobb traffic alert: Piedmont Road eastbound closed at Shaw Road

April 16, 2019 5:13 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Police said part of Piedmont Road eastbound has been closed at Shaw Road since shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday due to a pedestrian accident.

Officer Neil Penirelli off Cobb Police said a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at that intersection.

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

Holt Road improvements prompted by pedestrian accident at Wheeler HS

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Shallowford Road, Chimney Springs Drive resurfacing projects approved

April 9, 2019 4:53 PMApril 9, 2019 1:15 PM by Wendy Parker

Shallowford Road resurfacing project

The Cobb Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved spending $9.2 million in road resurfacing projects across the county, including a major section of Shallowford Road and all of Chimney Springs Drive in Northeast Cobb.

The Shallowford Road project (seen in map above) is the lengthiest of the 23 projects that were approved, covering 2.62 miles between Canton Road and Trickum Road.

The next-longest project is all of Chimney Springs Drive, which is a circular road with two entry points on Bishop Lake Road (seen in map below), spanning 2.54 miles.

Other nearby repavings will take place on Country Lane, a tenth-mile surface street between Chimney Springs Drive and Post Oak Tritt Road and 0.50 miles of McPherson Road between Post Oak Tritt and Shallowford Road. Chimney Springs Drive resurfacing

You can view the entire 21.81-mile project list here, and it calls for additional repavings, should funding be available, for the following roads in East Cobb:

Johnson Ferry Road, between Post Oak Tritt and Roswell Road (2.50 miles);
East Piedmont Road, between Allgood Road and Roswell Road (1.13 miles);
Maybreeze Road, between Ebenezer Road and Shallowford Road (0.66 miles);
Pete Shaw Road, between Steinhauer Road and Sandy Plains Road (1.22 miles).

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Holt Road safety improvements announced after Wheeler students were hit by car

April 2, 2019 5:44 PM by Wendy Parker

Holt Road safety improvements, Wheeler High School

Cobb DOT and the Cobb County School District said Tuesday they’ve drawn up a number of safety improvements that will be made on Holt Road in front of Wheeler High School following serious injuries to two students who were hit by a car.

The accident took place around 7 p.m. on a Saturday, March 9, as they were moving gym equipment in the crosswalk.

One student, Malik Spellman, is facing a long recovery after suffering multiple injuries. The other student has not been identified. The 73-year-old driver of the car who hit them has been issued traffic citations but was not charged with anything else.

According to Cobb County spokesman Ross Cavitt, here’s what’s going to happen on Holt Road, in front of Wheeler and the parking lot of the former East Cobb Middle School:

Installing a “rectangular rapid flashing beacon” device at the crosswalk, which would include a raised median providing a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road. This is similar to a pedestrian crossing currently in place on Lower Roswell Road just outside of the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center.

Relocating the crosswalk away from a nearby side street and combine it with another crosswalk north of the current location.

Close an exit from a parking lot across from the high school near the crosswalk.

Install updated signage warning of the pedestrian crossing.

Upgrade street lighting in the vicinity of the relocated crosswalk.

Cavitt said the county government and school district will share in the costs, which haven’t been determined.

He said Cobb DOT was planning to conduct a pedestrian survey on Holt Road before the accident, with cameras and other devices recently installed.

Cobb DOT had planned a pedestrian survey on Holt Road before the incident happened. They installed cameras and other devices and are still studying the results.

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Cobb traffic alert: I-75 southbound lanes reopened after police activity

March 29, 2019 6:50 PMMarch 29, 2019 12:00 PM by Wendy Parker

I-75 Southbound reopened — *I-75 Southbound near Terrell Mill Road after the lanes were reopened around 11:30 a.m. Friday (Ga. DOT camera)*

UPDATED, 5:45 P.M.:

Marietta Police say the man they took into custody on the interstate is suspected of an armed robbery at the customer service desk of the Walmart store at 201 Cobb Parkway South, near the Big Chicken.

Police said the suspect fled the scene before they arrived, but they were able to get a description from a video surveillance camera at the store and learned he left in a gray Honda Civic.

A Marietta officer discovered a vehicle fitting the description and initiated a traffic stop on I-75, and the driver ultimately pulled over on the shoulder near Windy Hill Road, police said.

Police said that because they thought the suspect was armed, they didn’t approach the vehicle, and began negotiations with him by phone.

That’s why they decided to shut down the southbound lanes, and a standoff took place lasting more than an hour.

Cobb Forward transportation town halls include two locations in East Cobb

March 18, 2019 1:26 PMMarch 18, 2019 10:23 AM by Wendy Parker

Eric Meyer, Cobb Forward transportation town halls — *Eric Meyer, Cobb DOT’s planning division manager, recently outlined the Comprehensive Transportation Plan process at the Sewell Mill Library. (ECN photos)*

In April and May several town halls will take place for what’s known as Cobb Forward—the county’s comprehensive transportation plan (CTP) for 2050.

It’s a joint effort involving Cobb County government and its counterparts in the county’s six municipalities. A CTP was last done in 2015, but a number of developments since then have led to calls to create a new transportation vision for the county.

They include a referendum for expanding transit and the county government’s next SPLOST referendum in 2022.

Two of those CTP meetings will take place in East Cobb:

Thursday, April 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., East Cobb Library, 4880 Lower Roswell Road;
Tuesday, May 7, 7-9 p.m., East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road.

The purpose of the Cobb Forward meetings, per the county, is to develop a series of project lists, some of which would be funded with SPLOST sales tax revenues.

Transit recommendations also will come out of the countywide meetings this spring, some to be included in the new Atlanta Transit Link Authority (The ATL), which includes a 13-county area.

The Cobb meetings also will get underway in the aftermath of a referendum Tuesday in Gwinnett, where voters will decide on whether to join MARTA.

Cobb and Gwinnett were notable holdouts when the the MARTA system was created in the early 1970s and which serves Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties.

At a recent Cobb budget town hall meeting at the Sewell Mill Library, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce answered questions about some of transit and transportation issues.

He’s seeking legislation this year to allow Cobb to push back a transit referendum to 2022. That vote would decide whether a special transit district would be created out of a portion of the county (South Cobb) or all of it.

That referendum, if approved, would add a penny sales tax in Cobb earmarked for transit funding.

Cobb voters also will be deciding on SPLOST extension in 2020 for a new collection period beginning in 2022. The current SPLOST, which includes funding for transportation and other capital improvements, ends Dec. 31, 2021.

That’s a six-cent sales tax. Four cents go to the state, another is earmarked for Cobb and Marietta schools and the other for county government.

Boyce said an extension would be shorter.

“It won’t be six years,” he said. “I support four years, [Cobb] mayors like five years. This county is doing so well that in six years, we’re going to have a lot of money laying around. You don’t want to do that with politicians around.”

While the SPLOST process is relatively straightforward, hammering out potential transit options figures is more involved.

“It’s going to be long and complicated,” Boyce said.

A county transit survey that was released late last year indicated that a majority of Cobb voters would approve of an additional penny tax for transit expansion. That includes East Cobb, where the only CobbLinc bus line runs down Powers Ferry Road.

Like the SPLOST referendum, the transit referendum also will include a detailed project list and public hearings on what may constitute a future transit plan, said Eric Meyer, the Cobb DOT’s planning division manager.

“Tell us what you will support,” he said. “That’s why this is going to take three years.”

Among the transportation options for Cobb are bus rapid transit, rapid bus, heavy rail and light rail. The financing options could be joining MARTA, connecting with MARTA, expanding service with the sales tax mentioned above, or maintaining the status quo.

The other Cobb Forward town hall schedule this spring is as follows:

Wednesday, April 10, 7-9 p.m., West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway;
Wednesday, April 17, 7-9 p.m., Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle;
Monday, April 29, 7-9 p.m., Cobb Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs St.;
Tuesday, April 30, 7-9 p.m., Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road;
Thursday, May 2, 7-9 p.m., Acworth Community Center, 4361 Cherokee St.;
Wednesday, May 8, 7-9 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive;
Thursday, May 9, 7-9 p.m., South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive.

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