441
59
75
GEORGIA STATE EDITION
Cornella 19
A Supplement to:
Rome 85 27
Athens 441
Atlanta
20
Madison Augusta
85
20
Griffin 1
129
Milledgeville
75
La Grange
Macon
301
185 19
®
16
Dublin
Swainsboro Oak Park
Columbus
Statesboro
341 441 16
Lyons Americus
August 31 2016
Dorchester
341
Cuthbert
75
Albany
84
Douglas Tifton
82
95
82
Blakely
Pearson
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
301
1
82
Vol. XVIII • No. 18
Savannah
McRae Cordele
27
27 84
Moultrie
19 319
84
Bainbridge
Valdosta Thomasville
Waycross Brunswick 82
1 441
Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Crews Juggle Tasks to Stay on Schedule in Alpharetta, Ga. A $17.9 million project that will transform a well-traveled area in Alpharetta, Ga., has crews juggling multiple tasks, while dealing with an aggressive construction schedule. “At the heart of the Encore parkway Bridge replacement and Corridor Improvement project is connectivity and improved accessibility,” said Ann Hanlon, executive director of the north Fulton Community Improvement district (CId). “this project will not only replace the Encore parkway bridge, but it will also transform a local ‘cutthrough’ into a multi-modal complete street, and create the first east-west pedestrian/bicycle connection to Alpharetta’s popular Big Creek Greenway. the project is the result of committed business leaders having a vision for what an area could become, and corralling the partners, resources and funding to make it happen.” the work is being funded by a combination of local, state and private funds and grants. “After a 10-year period of planning and design, the entire team is excited to see the project finally under way,” Hanlon said. pete sewczwicz, the director of public works of the city of Alpharetta, said the project was identified in a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) study completed by the north Fulton CId and the city of Alpharetta in 2008. “At the time of the study, the area where Encore parkway is located held a regionally significant mall and several big box retailers, but there was very little new development taking place. Close to GA 400 with vacant land available and redevelopment opportunities, the LCI study helped uncover the potential for the Encore parkway corridor to feature new and improved development. the new bridge and corridor improvements, including pedestrian lighting, landscaping and aesthetic features that can be seen from GA 400 or while on the bridge itself, were identified as projects that would encourage a more sustainable development pattern for the area, as well as a safer option for commuters, cyclists and pedestrians.” sewczwicz said, “since the LCI study was conducted, the growth it forecasted has actually come to life. several new developments have been built or are in progress nearby,
By Cindy Riley
CEG CorrEspondEnt
C.W. Matthews photo
The new bridge will be completed by mid-November.
including two new townhome communities, a mixed-use development and several new entertainment venues, such as top Golf and Main Event. “While the project was being designed, the north Fulton CId worked to educate business leaders and property owners in the community, gaining support from leadership at north point Mall and Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.” shutting down the bridge, however, was no small task. “It was a major undertaking coordinating local police officers, as well as the state dot, and it required multiple evenings of rolling roadblocks. More than 30 outreach meetings were held with community leaders to ensure that the public was aware of the plans,” sewczwicz said. According to sewczwicz, motorists are coping with the bridge shutdown and other work as best they can. the old bridge was too small with narrow sidewalks and two lanes of traffic. the new bridge will have two wider traffic lanes, two bike lanes, two wide pedestrian sidewalks and median planters. the new bridge will also allow for future
widening on sr 400. the new structure is roughly 116 ft. (35 m) wide, compared to the old bridge, which was approximately 44 ft. (13 m) wide. the new bridge will be completed by midnovember, and sewczwicz said staying on track is crucial. “the schedule is extremely important, since we have coordinated with the regional mall and other retail partners to ensure that the shopping season is not disrupted.” Eric Bosman, program planner of Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., said, “Anyone who has an interest or need to cross GA 400 in and around the north point area will benefit from this improvement.” Aaron Wadley, pE, senior project manager of Atkins, a global design, engineering and project management consultancy firm said, “this project will improve the alignment of Encore parkway with multi-use paths, connecting the west side of GA 400 with the popular Greenway trail. there are several detailed hardscape features, such as a mix of concrete see CORRIDOR page 6