The Department has had conceptual designs for this corridor since the late 80’s. However, since the roads were not on the State Route System, the Department could not advance beyond recommending a concept without local government backing (i.e., buying right of way, etc.). It was up to the local governments (Cobb and Fulton Counties) to initiate further action. As you know, Cobb County moved forward with improvements to their section with County funds and minimal State Funds. Fulton County elected to concentrate on other transportation priorities. Other studies were initiated in a joint effort between the Counties, but no resolution was ever adopted. Therefore for 15 years, the Department’s only involvement was minimal oversight.
In 1996, GDOT Commissioner Shackelford took Johnson Ferry Road and Abernathy Road into the State Route system. However, funding was not identified at the time. Funding amounts with designated years for each project must be a part of the regional plan submitted by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to Federal Highway Department every three years before GDOT can move forward with a project. In 2001, a line was added to the Federal Transportation bill that made Johnson Ferry Road/Abernathy Road a priority. The bill did not allocate any money. The ARC then designated right of way and construction funding with a designated year so that the project could move forward.
Therefore, the Department, using regional public input, will make the decisions necessary to move the project into construction.