As the North Georgia State Fair returns to Jim R. Miller Park, officials are implementing a new traffic plan to reduce congestion. The revamped strategy focuses on rerouting traffic and providing better guidance to improve the event’s logistics.
According to the Cobb County official website, the Cobb County Sheriff's Office has announced changes to local traffic for the North Georgia State Fair. Callaway Road will now be reserved for residents, while traffic from Powder Springs Road and Austell Road will be directed to County Services Parkway. This strategy aims to prevent neighborhood congestion by guiding fairgoers to designated parking areas.
This year, deputies will be stationed along Al Bishop Drive, with two out of three lanes reserved for westbound traffic heading to the fair's parking areas. Officers will also manage traffic at County Services Parkway, and traffic lights will be adjusted to reduce congestion. This year’s plan includes a shuttle service from Cobb County Safety Village to the fair entrance. Major Jacob Huval expressed confidence in the plan, though Cobb's DOT Traffic Management Center will monitor and adjust as needed. Uber and Lyft rideshare pickups and drop-offs will also be at the Safety Village. Community concerns are central to the new plan. Past fairs have caused significant traffic issues on Callaway Road, affecting local residents. County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris has promised a review after the fair to assess the plan's effectiveness and make improvements if needed.
The fair, running from September 19 to 29, aims to show that the new traffic plan will both respect local residents and improve the experience for visitors.
