Georgia 400, love it or hate it, but most living in Forsyth County utilizes it to get from point A to point B.
The first GA 400 Summit will be held Thursday at the from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event, billed as an economic development luncheon, is expected to provide the region’s business leaders and elected officials an opportunity to discuss the importance and future of GA 400.
"We thought that the timing of this was particularly good to get together to chat a bit about GA 400, the impact it has on our community and what we all can be doing to be focused on its future development," said James McCoy, president of the , a co-host of Thursday's summit.
Some of the questions expected to be discussed:
- How can we reduce congestion on GA 400?
- How can we improve GA 400?
- What are the consequences of not improving GA 400?
McCoy said TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) is also expected to be discussed. Voters in each of the 12 regions (Forsyth County is in Region 2, the (GMRC) Georgia Mountains Regional Commission) will vote on the proposed sales tax increase in a July 31 referendum.
"I'm sure the transportation referendum will be discussed," he said. "It [GA 400] is a major project when it comes to transportation for Cumming and Forsyth County."
McCoy went on to say that GA 400 is a $72 million project, $40 million of which would be funded through TSPLOST and the subsequent funding as a result of approval. The remaining portion would come from state and federal funds that had previously been committed to the project.
"This is an enormous opportunity for our community to have a very fast impact," he said. "And in fact if that [TSPLOST] is not approved, the options for what we can do to improve GA 400 are extremely limited."
McCoy added that Forsyth County is not part of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Region 3, and that the vote that is being taken for Atlanta is not in Forsyth County [as mentioned earlier].
Forsyth and Hall counties, being the two largest counties in the GMRC, "have the lion's share of projects in the region we are voting in," said McCoy.
According to the TSPLOST (pro-referendum) Web site, the projected TSPLOST economic impact for Region 2 for the years 2013-2022 is a $1.259 billion revenue projection.
Read the PDF file to the right for the final investment list for the Georgia Mountains, including projects in Forsyth County.
"As a citizen, as a business community person, I would much rather have the opportunity to have projects that are identified, projects that we know what we are voting on, and we know what will get done, and we know how that money is going to be managed – because it will be managed at a local level," said McCoy.
McCoy added that he hears people saying "ridiculous things" – 'oh we're giving this over to Atlanta.'"
He said, "It's a complete falsehood, it's a lie. This is all about our region and our community being able to look after ourselves."
Some of the other topics on the agenda will include the problems with Highway 369 located in the northern part of the county. McCoy said that highway has become the "default northern arc."
"It endures enormous truck traffic with folks cutting between [Interstates] 75 and 85 or visa versa. There are tremendous safety problems associated with, not just 369, but Martin Road and Jot Em' Down Road."
He also said there is plenty of congestion around the outlet mall in Dawson County and even further north where GA 400 ends.
Congestion, safety and awareness are big reasons why the summit is taking place.
"It's to raise the awareness that GA 400 is a top priority economically, both for the citizens who live here, and certainly from a safety and well-being standpoint," McCoy said.
Invited guests include:
- Rudy Bowen
Chairman
State Transportation Board of Georgia - Emily Dunn
Representative for the 9th Congressional District
State Transportation Board of Georgia - Todd Long
Deputy Commissioner
Georgia Department of Transportation - Gena Evans
Executive Director
State Road and Toll-way Authority
The cost is $30 for members of the Dawson County, Cumming-Forsyth County, or Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chambers of Commerce, and $35 for non-chamber members.
More information on the summit can be found on the CFCCC Web site.
We must ask ourselves as Forsythcountians, do we want highter taxes? Will this tax actually cover the costs of planned road projects? So far project taxes are falling about 40% short of their planned goals. These projects must be completed by law. That means those sales taxes must continue beyond their intended drop dead date just like the GA 400 toll booths. Will this tax go to improve Forsyth County or will it be spent on roadways outside the county? The local and national economy is in such poor shape and forecast to become ever worse. I don't believe a tax increase is helpful nor is it healthy for our economy. I recommend this be voted down,.
The current sales tax in Forsyth County is 7 percent - per Forsyth County Tax Commissioner -
We are the only county footing the bill $3.0 million to run a van service from the MARTA park and rides in Regions 1 - 5. There is a sidewalk on Freedom Parkway. And there is a project to widen Old Atlanta to the Fulton County line, but Fulton County has no project to widen the Road. This TSPLOST is ridiculous and it is not republican government. We vote for people and authorize them to tax and spend. You did not authorize Jack Howard and Betty Boop Langardine in Banks County to vote to impose taxation and spending. Punish the worthless politicians involved in this. On the actual Regional Commission picking projects was Brian Tam, Commissioner District 2 and Mayor Ford Gravitt, Mayor of Cumming. The two politicians running for office and that should not be allowed to return under the Gold Dome is State Senator Jack Murphy - D 27 and former State Rep Tom Knox running again in the new District 26. Prevent all these men from abusing you by denying them office.
We are the only county footing the bill $3.0 million to run a van service from the MARTA park and rides in Regions 1 - 5. There is a sidewalk on Freedom Parkway. And there is a project to widen Old Atlanta to the Fulton County line, but Fulton County has no project to widen the Road. This TSPLOST is ridiculous and it is not republican government. We vote for people and authorize them to tax and spend. You did not authorize Jack Howard and Betty Boop Langardine in Banks County to vote to impose taxation and spending. Punish the worthless politicians involved in this. On the actual Regional Commission picking projects was Brian Tam, Commissioner District 2 and Mayor Ford Gravitt, Mayor of Cumming. The two politicians running for office and that should not be allowed to return under the Gold Dome is State Senator Jack Murphy - D 27 and former State Rep Tom Knox running again in the new District 26. Prevent all these men from returning to Atlanta.
400 needs to be widened. Highway 9 needs to be widened. 141 needs to be widened. Post Road needs to be widened. This costs money. This also brings more business and jobs to the Forsyth economy. Progress needs to be made to FoCo's infrastructure to support the population. An extra cent or two is not going to break your budget.
There are projects that GDOT is way behind on, and 400 is one without much associated debate. However, to roll it up in the TSPLOST and hold it hostage as part of the rationale for Forsyth County voters to approve it is beyond belief. Others above have done very well in citing the reasons to vote "NO", I can only echo their reasoning. After TSPLOST fails, then let's get together a REAL summit to determine how to deal with 400. I will gladly participate.
And from time to time, I have read & heard the city/county officials talk about building some roads for an industrial park to attract some industry/warehouses sometime in the future. Time will only tell to see what happens on this proposal.
http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/atlanta/news/2012/05/29/atlanta-the-seventh-fastest-growing.html
I don't need better roads or bus/train services- Neither do all my neighbors. A MANDATE for me to pay for projects I never need (even if a percentage of TAX paid by my county of Forsyth actually does comes back to Forsyth projects) is not enough reason to TAX anyone in the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOI_exUO2-s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfiuVHxJJhY&feature=related