Athens Reporter

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) has been awarded an $800,000 planning grant to address transportation inequities and enhance connectivity along the Hawthorne / Alps / Oglethorpe corridors. The grant, received through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program in partnership with the U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT), will support planning efforts aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and equity within the specified corridors.

According to ACCGov Transportation and Public Works Director Stephen Bailey, "The corridors along Hawthorne Avenue, Alps Road, and Oglethorpe Avenue have long faced challenges related to safety, accessibility, and equity. These corridors are more than just roads, they are lifelines linking our neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions."

The project will focus on designing and recommending measures to enhance safety, connectivity, and accessibility for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and individuals with impaired mobility. Importantly, projects receiving RCN funding are prohibited from adding travel lanes for single-occupant passenger vehicles or expanding highway areas.

Planning for the project is set to commence in the fall of 2024, with active engagement planned for residents, businesses, and stakeholders throughout the planning process. The ACCGov Transportation and Public Works Department will work towards developing a timeline for design and construction of improvements as part of the planning process.

Furthermore, improvements to the Oglethorpe Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue intersection are progressing and are scheduled for construction in the fall of 2024, aligning with other corridor enhancements under this program.

The ACCGov Transportation and Public Works Department's core mission is to provide safe and efficient roadways, bikeways, walkways, traffic control and guidance systems, and public stormwater collection and conveyance systems to the Athens-Clarke County community. Residents can find more information on the department by visiting www.accgov.com/publicworks or calling 706-613-3440.