Friday, September 28, 2001
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Friday, September 28, 2001 |
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Plans to widen Ga. Hwy. 54 accelerated By JOHN
MUNFORD
It may turn out that the widening of Ga. Highway 54 west to four lanes may well end up on the fast track. Fayette state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh said yesterday that local motorists "could be riding on it by 2004." The project was originally on the Georgia Department of Transportation's long-term plan, but it was recently moved to the more immediate plans on the state Transportation Improvement Program, Seabaugh said. "This is a major development," Seabaugh said, adding that previous plans were for the project to be completed by 2010. The senator cautioned, however, that this is "not a done deal," since there is one more public meeting on the DOT's plans, followed by approval from the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the federal highway and transit administrations. "If everything is signed off, they will speed up the project," Seabaugh said. Already, DOT officials have begun right-of-way acquisition for the project. The DOT's latest widening plans call for acquiring enough land to leave a landscaped median that could be later used for two additional lanes of traffic if needed in the future. Peachtree City officials have been stymied in their plans for the widening as residents have complained continuously about traffic congestion in the area. A number of developments planned for the western area of Peachtree City may be put on hold until after the widening takes place because of the heavy traffic congestion and requirements of the city's traffic impact ordinance. Seabaugh said that recent town hall meetings on transportation that he conducted in Peachtree City and Coweta County may have helped DOT officials realize the necessity of the project. A number of citizens spoke at those meetings to indicate the widening of Hwy. 54 to four lanes should be a top priority, he said. The changes came about recently as the state DOT and Federal Highway Transportation Administration officials worked on the list of statewide projects that will receive federal transportation funds, Seabaugh said. Seabaugh said he has lobbied "enormously" on the issue and was glad to see action taking place on the matter.
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