Road Expansion Plan Pits State Against Local Governments in Georgia

"As a deadline looms to cement plans for a Ga. 400 expansion through north Fulton County, leaders in three cities are still working to negotiate their wish lists with state road planners," report Ben Brasch and Arielle Kass.

The proposed project would spend $1.6 billion to expand the state highway, adding express lanes on an elevated roadway. The project is being described as the most transformative road project in north Fulton County in decades. "The state plans to add 16 miles of tolled express lanes on Ga. 400 between the North Springs MARTA station and McFarland Parkway. It also represents MARTA’s first step in a larger expansion north, adding four bus rapid transit stations along the road."

The Fulton County school district has large concerns about the plan, according to the article. "The Fulton County Schools’ superintendent said the plan to build Ga. 400 express lanes close to two schools puts students at risk. He said he would need as much as $10 million more from taxpayers to keep children safe."

The Georgia Department of Transportation is under time pressure to finish designs for the plan to send for approval to the federal government by the end of the month.