PUBLIC PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – July 31, 2025
2025 LMIG Street Repair/Repaving The streets on the original LMIG request are substantially complete. Some punch list items are being addressed now. A second round of state funds was approved by the Governor in the spring and repairs to those streets should start September 1. All streets will receive patching, milling and asphalt overlay.
The streets included in the second round are:
PIB East and Spring Hill Sidewalks This project consists of nearly 1,700 feet of sidewalk on PIB and almost 590 feet on Spring Hill. It also includes installation of guardrail, traffic control loops and stormwater infrastructure. Bids were received on April 3rd and the project was awarded to R&B Developer, Inc. The Spring Hill segment is substantially complete. The curb and gutter on PIB has been installed. Grading for the sidewalk will begin next week. This project should be completed by end of 2025.
Highway 20 Pedestrian Bridge Bridge design, permitting and bid phases are complete. The contract has been awarded to Ohmshiv Construction, LLC. A pre-construction meeting was held on November 19, 2024. The easement for utility relocation has been finalized with the property owner and Ga Power has begun work to place the lines underground. The monument sign on Highway 20 has been moved to the Atlas property and is working. Gwinnett DWR has moved an abandoned stub and a fire hydrant. Actual bridge construction should begin in August. The anticipated completion date is slipping to early 2026 due to delays with utility relocation and right-of-way clearance from the Ackerman/Novare projects. Georgia Power has begun the installation of their lines underground next to the proposed bridge location.
Downtown Greenway/LCI Project The trail connection from Highway 20 at PIB to the downtown pedestrian bridge and is funded by the LCI (Livable Centers Initiative) program administered by Georgia DOT. Since this project is funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration via LCI/GDOT, the process is a little different. The design firm was selected in coordination with GDOT. The project will provide an urban greenway connection from PIB/20 to Alton Tucker and then back to Highway 20. The timeline for construction and final alignment will be determined once we have the design finished. A design contract has been finalized with Keck & Wood. Design work is anticipated to be completed by the second quarter of 2026. Surveys have been done and environmental and archeological assessments have been submitted to GDOT, as required by federal funding.
Northside Greenway As part of their developments, Novare Sugar Hill, The Refinery by Prestwick and Hillcrest Landing are constructing segments of the Greenway to the North of Hwy 20 and along Hillcrest Dr. This will consist of a winding segment from Stanley St. through their developments and connecting to the sidewalk on Hillcrest Dr. at Brookdale Dr. Solar lighting was recently installed on the Novare portion and is complete. Staff recently explored an area north of this to determine the feasibility of winding the trail through the woods to Richland Creek. This proposed alignment looks promising. We are working with the design team to come up with a cost-effective and an efficient route. Design work is now underway with the alignment selected. We also have begun discussions for easements and ROW for the trail. The design-development phase should be completed in late 2025.
Application for Stormwater Hazard Mitigation Grant We are in the process of applying for grant funds to address some areas of Richland Creek that are being eroded by stormwater surges. We anticipate using a similar solution to the one recently completed at the bridge in Gary Pirkle Park. We will have a better idea of the timeline for this project after the grant is awarded.
Highway 20 widening The County has started a project on Highway 20 that consists of widening the road from Buford Highway to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. This project will also include an enhanced sidewalk along the South side of Hwy 20 that will connect to the Downtown Greenway/ LCI project. It will provide walking access to the Buford Highway area from Downtown. They have started the median demolition, Utility relocation and stormwater management portion of the project. They are also working in the area of the bridge over the Railroad, construction supports for the widening of the roadway above.
Ridge Lake Park Phase II Design work has begun to install a playground area and other amenities. An RFP package has been issued to find a partner to Design/Build the playground. Depending on equipment lead time, this project is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. Solar lighting has been installed at the entrance to the park.
E Center Renovations Based on user and operational requests, we have started design work on several areas of the E Center. New HVAC systems have been installed and are operational. Based on user input, our design team is exploring options to provide shading to the promenade and 39th street. This will create a more comfortable environment for citizens during the heat of the summer months. To enhance safety and security, our design team is working on upgrades to the door hardware, egress and life safety pathways and methods to ensure the building can be secured at night and in the event of an emergency. We will be able to determine a delivery schedule once design elements are approved.
Cemetery Fencing/ Atlas Parking Lot Fencing We have issued an IFB to add to and renovate portions of the cemetery fencing as well as at the Atlas parking lot on highway 20. Several more brick columns will be added with aluminum picket panels that will match the ones on West Broad. Three (3) bids were opend on July 24 and the results are posted on our website. The anticipated completion date is end of 2025.
