By Maggie Behringer
Correspondent
DALTON, Ga. -- Plans to streamline traffic flow around College Drive in Dalton have gotten a boost as the Georgia Department of Transportation pledged to fund all construction costs.
The project, first proposed in 2007's Transportation SPLOST plan, will create a roundabout at the juncture of Walnut Street, College Drive and Dug Gap Mountain Road on the west side of Interstate 75 where there now is a stop sign.
It also will include an entrance and exit ramp for I-75 southbound, an addition in the second round of designs that secured state support.
"During morning rush hour, the backup on the 75 exit ramp will be greatly reduced," Whitfield County Engineer Kent Benson said. "The roundabout is significantly better than having the stop situation."
Whitfield County will finance the design, totaling $262,148, the process of environmental clearances and the purchase of three parcels for right of way. The Transportation Department estimates construction costs at $1.5 million.
American Consulting Professionals in Dalton was contracted for the designs.
For the county, the benefit of the project is beyond improvements to traffic flow. Officials hope the roundabout will connect Dalton State College and the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, stimulating economic development for both.
"This project is crucial to the development of the college, which is crucial to the economy of Dalton," County Commissioner Randy Waskul said at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting.
Because the Transportation Department will draw federal dollars through its Lump Sum Safety Funds for the Dalton project, federal law requires the county complete a National Environmental Protection Act study.
That process includes a historical and archaeological survey of the area, as well as an aquatic survey of a nearby creek, a review of the document by the Federal Highway Administration and design and public review meetings.
According to Mr. Benson, the NEPA study should take six to eight months.
The Georgia Department of Transportation set a deadline of June 30, 2011, for the county's portion. The state has indicated the funding is not a one-time opportunity.
"We're making every effort to meet that deadline," Mr. Benson said.
Maggie Behringer writes about Dalton and Whitfield County. Contact her at maggie.behringer@gmail.com.
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