It's no secret that traffic becomes snarled on a regular basis at the intersection of Ga. Highways 54 and 74.

That's just the kind of thing the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) wants to help eliminate. That's one of the reasons why Peachtree City was chosen to receive a $17,360 grant from the ARC to study possible solutions.

That study, which could be completed by August, could lead to funds down the road to pay for improvements to the area. That's if the study shows the funds can be used to alleviate traffic problems with unique solutions like the city's cart path system.

The cart paths are shared by pedestrians, bikes and golf carts but the paths don't currently connect the entire 74/54 intersection together, said City Planner David Rast.

To add new cart paths, the city would need to tunnel under the highway or build cart path bridges, Rast said, adding that both options are expensive. That's why the grant money could come in handy if the ARC approves the recommendations of the study, he added.

New cart paths in the area could lead to a commuter rail station in the near future so local residents can bike and cart their way to the rail station instead of driving to work in Atlanta, Rast said. The CSX rail that enters the area has been earmarked as a potential commuter rail line by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA).

Some undeveloped property in the area would make an ideal location for the commuter rail station, Rast said. The rail station would be in the midst of several different retail businesses including the future Home Depot and possibly the Wal-Mart store that may come to Peachtree City, Rast pointed out.

That way, when commuters get off the train they can do their shopping before they go home, he added.

"It's a neat idea," Rast said, explaining that the land around the intersection already has a lot of activity because of the new businesses that have opened in the area recently.

The city also wants to include the existing businesses located on Huddleston Road by tying them into the proposed new cart path system in the area, Rast said.

The whole idea is to get people out of their cars and using their golf carts, bikes, rollerblades and their walking shoes instead.

The study, however, could determine that the commuter rail or other unique ideas to ease traffic aren't feasible, Rast added.

"Nothing is locked in stone," he said, adding that the study calls for public input also.

The city is matching 20 percent of the grant, a total of $4,340.

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