Barrow County is set to improve its transportation infrastructure with a $3.4 million boost from the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). This funding, as announced on the Barrow County website, includes a $2.4 million loan alongside a $1 million grant from the Georgia Transportation and Infrastructure (GTIB) Bank program. The funds will be directed to the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 53 and Mulberry Road, a project aimed at enhancing traffic flow and driver safety.
"This project will not only enhance traffic flow at this intersection – particularly for those accessing State Route 53 from Mulberry Road – but still improve safety for drivers in the area," Chris Yancey, Barrow County Public Works Director, told the official Barrow County website. Roundabouts have been demonstrated to substantially cut down on the risks associated with high-speed and T-bone crashes, which are major contributors to traffic fatalities.
GTIB grants are designed to assist local governments in pushing forward essential transportation projects, with a particular focus on those that bolster safety and connectivity. SRTA Executive Director Jannine Miller expressed excitement over the state's continued investment in Georgia's transportation network, especially with a record influx of state funds into local projects this year.
According to Barrow County's announcement, rural communities accounted for 38% of GTIB applications, signaling the importance of transportation across all regions of the state. "With the support of Governor Kemp and the General Assembly, GTIB is helping local governments accelerate project delivery and lower long-term costs for Georgia taxpayers," Miller explained.
The additional funds will see Barrow County completing the roundabout project three years earlier than anticipated. This initiative is part of a broader effort to implement durable transportation improvements in the area, in line with the decision by voters to approve TSPLOST funds for the county's transportation projects.
