It was probably not the glowing reception that transportation consulting firm URS expected when they visited Coweta County Tuesday night.

The group unveiled a proposed Comprehensive Transportation Plan outlining the county’s transportation needs over the next 30 years. More than 50 residents attended the session at the Central Education Center in Newnan and were not totally worn over by the the proposal.

County Commission Chairman Greg Tarbutton said the plan is part of the county’s overall vision for dealing with the coming growth in the next few years.

“Depending on what study you look at, we’re going to add another 115,000 or 125,000 people in the next 10 years,” he said.

Tarbutton said the plan also addressed growth in neighboring counties, who might be using Coweta’s highways as a way to get to Interstate 85.

“There’s a development in Carroll County with 6,000 homes that could impact us,” he said.

Jim Brown, who headed up the study for URS, said his firm has been gathering data for more than a year before it revealed the first draft of the plan Tuesday night. The plan outlines more than $330 million worth of new transportation projects that would improve transportation throughout the county.

Included in the new projects is a $74 million Ga. Highway 16 bypass that would provide easy access from the Spalding County line to US. Highway 29 in Newnan.

“You’re showing that road going right through my house,” said Senoia resident Hal Sewell.

The bypass is not expected to be implemented until 2030 and transportation officials said many things could change before the road is built.

Other projects in the plan include signalizing the intersection of Hwy. 16 and Ga. Highway 54 in Turin; two more Interstate 85 interchanges at Poplar Road and Amlajack Boulevard; sidewalks in Senoia and widening Ga. Highway 154 to four lanes from Ga. Highway 34 to U.S. Highway 29.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents wondered what was driving the plan.

“Is there really that much traffic or is this done to suit developers needs?” questioned on resident. Other residents told the consultants that the plan could drastically change the quality of life that many residents currently enjoy.

URS officials reiterated the plan was only a draft and said they would take residents’ concerns into account before presenting the final plan to the county.

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