SUWANEE — Suwanee city council members gave unanimous approval Tuesday night to apply for $2.5 million in funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission for the construction costs associated with the Buford Highway Project.
Officials expect to hear back on the approval or denial of their application sometime in August, at which point the city will start construction of the massive Buford Highway Project, according to Marty Allen, city manager.
"We're converting Buford Highway ... in a manner to have on-street parking, sidewalks, landscaping, and making it a context-sensitive designed roadway. It can maintain traffic while still allowing for pedestrian utilization," said Allen.
The project will ultimately transform the highway between McGinnis Ferry Road and George Pierce Park, which is just north of Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Allen said it will remain a two-lane road.
Allen said previously that the improvements to the Buford Highway corridor will have more of an impact on the city than Town Center Park.
"It's going to be a new type of traveling experience for bikers, for pedestrians. It'll be an important part of keeping the city cohesive, and not dividing it into different sections. It's going to have a lot of benefits," said Allen.
Construction on the project is expected to take 18 months, and finished by the first quarter of 2019.
