NEWS BRIEFS: County releases Transit Development Plan

The Board of Commissioners have approved its Transit Development Plan (TDP) in anticipation of the county’s recent spike in population and economic growth. 

Spearheaded by the Gwinnett Transportation department, the plan was developed over an 18-month period from 2022 to 2023 using the community’s feedback as the catalyst for its recommendations. The TDP evaluated changing transportation demands, considered significant population growth, and aligned transit services and infrastructure investments with the county’s identified priorities and needs.

Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson says: “This transformative plan benefits everyone by improving and expanding multimodal transportation services countywide. It charts an intentional path forward while paving the way for a more prosperous future, providing convenient transit alternatives for our residents and reducing congestion on our roads.”

The new plan encompasses a comprehensive network that covers all of Gwinnett County with shared ride services. The plan also comprises a multi-faceted approach that includes the introduction of Local Ride, Quick Ride, Rapid Ride and Airport Ride networks to connect areas seamlessly within the county and to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Gwinnett DOT Director Lewis Cooksey adds: “By embracing innovative ways to reimagine our local transit service and enhance connectivity to the greater Atlanta region, the adopted TDP creates a clear road ahead for a more efficient, accessible, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation option in Gwinnett County. This TDP puts the focus on providing mobility for all by thoughtfully leveraging the best transit modes to adequately meet the varying needs of each of our communities.”

Some of the recommendations outlined in the TDP include:

  • Expanding Ride Gwinnett to seven days a week;
  • Adding high-capacity transit along the county’s busiest corridors; and
  • Building out 500 miles of convenient and frequent fixed routes.
  • View the complete Transit Development Plan recommendations online.

Slip ramp give easier access to hospital from four-lane

A new slip ramp from Georgia Highway 316 East to Northside Hospital Gwinnett has been opened at Georgia Highway 120 in Lawrenceville. 

The City of Lawrenceville has been working with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Northside Hospital Gwinnett since July 2022 to add this slip ramp, making it easier to gain access to the hospital campus. It also will relieve congestion at the ramp to Georgia Highway 120 (Pike Street). 

City of Lawrenceville worked with CHA Consulting, Inc. as the designer, Ohmshive Construction, LLC as the contractor, and Atlas as the construction manager. The total project cost is $2,144,586 and includes 0.41 miles of grading, curb and gutter, sidewalk, drainage, and asphalt paving.  

Half Mile project to relieve GGC congestion

A half-mile expansion of Collins Hill Road from University Center Lane to the Lendon Connector is set to start construction later this month.

The project will add two travel lanes with a center lane, install a shoulder with a curb and gutter and include a new 12-foot-wide multi-use path.

The project aims to reduce traffic congestion near Georgia Gwinnett College and downtown Lawrenceville. The installation of the southbound travel lane and longer turn lane will also provide smoother access to side roads and the college entrance.

The Collins Hills widening project is expected to be completed and opened by mid-2024 and is funded by SPLOST. The contract bid for the project is $1.3 million, and was awarded to CMC, Inc. of Suwanee.

NOTABLE

Georgia Power chairman joins Rowen Foundation board

Greene

Georgia Power chairman, president and CEO Kim Greene has  joined the board of the Rowen Foundation.  As leader of the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, Greene brings a strong passion for emerging technologies, innovation and STEM-related education to the table. In addition to her leadership role with Georgia Power, Greene serves as a director for Valero Energy Corporation and the Metro Atlanta Chamber. She also serves on the board of trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine and Georgia Research Alliance and is a member of Atlanta Rotary. Greene was recently named one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Greene was also named to the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, received the University of Tennessee’s Distinguished Alumna Award and the University of Tennessee’s Nathan W. Dougherty Award – the most prestigious honor presented by the College of Engineering. 

GGC ranked 4th nationally in ethnic diversity

Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) has been ranked as the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college, for 10 consecutive years according to the 2024 U.S. News and World Report magazine college and university rankings. The Southern region includes 12 states and Puerto Rico.The same report indicated that GGC ranks  No. 4 in ethnic diversity among regional colleges in the nation.

The ranking was based on data reported from the college’s fall 2022 semester. With 11,030 students, the ethnic composition of GGC’s student body was 32 percent Black/African American; 27 percent Hispanic;  24 percent White; 12 percent Asian, 4 percent  multi-ethnic and less than one percent each for Native American, Pacific Islander and unknown.

Jones returns home with Georgia Banking Company

Jones

After eight years of diverse experiences across the financial services industry, Tyler Jones is returning home to Griffin, Ga., as the newly appointed Market President for Georgia Banking Company (GBC).

Bartow Morgan, Jr., CEO of GBC, says: “For the past two years, Tyler has been an integral part of our team, serving as the vice president of specialty finance. During this time, he has witnessed and contributed to our remarkable growth. We are confident that his leadership will continue to drive us forward, pushing the envelope on sophistication and innovation in the community banking space.”

Tyler’s journey has taken him through various industries, including structured real estate transactions, lending to private equity and private credit funds, small business management, company sales, and a wide array of structured finance products. Now, he will leverage these skills to invigorate and propel businesses in the Griffin community. He is a graduate of the Terry College of Business of the University of Georgia, with a BBA in finance.

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