Interchange justification report for McGinnis Ferry exit moves project forward
Some of the traffic in south Forsyth County may soon be alleviated with a new south and northbound on and off ramp at McGinnis Ferry Road and Ga. 400.
The new Ga. 400 interchange would create new exits between the existing Windward Parkway exit 11 and McFarland Parkway exit 12, said John Cunard, Forsyth County engineering director. The new interchange would be created between Windward and Union Hill Road bridges.
At the Dec. 6 work session, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved $62,500 funding for an interchange justification report — the Georgia Department of Transportation's share is $250,000 — to go toward the project's design.
A consultant from Moreland Altobelli Associates has been chosen to complete the reports that will include: a need and purpose statement; environmental impact studies; traffic volumes; and alternative designs and cost estimates.
The interchange justification report could take about six months to complete. GDOT funding could then be available for the construction a year later.
"This is the next step in the process to get it approved as a project," Cunard said. "GDOT has already approved the feasibility study and now they've authorized the county to administer the contract for the interchange justification report."
Once this scope of work is complete and approved by GDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, then the project can move forward and the interchange can be designed.
In October, commissioners reviewed plans and approved the project framework agreement with GDOT for the new ramp project that would impact motorists in the Alpharetta and Forsyth County jurisdiction.
The North Fulton Community Improvement District has contributed $125,000 toward the feasibility study, Cunard said.
The amount of county contribution to the entire project has not been determined. The interchange project is estimated about $30 million.
"Any new interchange would help ease congestions in county roads in the area," Cunard said. "That's why we're jumping through all these hoops to get it identified as a project, so it can be designed and built."
Labels: Alpharetta, Ga 400, Ga 400 new exit
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Brian Vanderhoff @ 7:50 AM
