Multi-Modal Transportation Study for Effingham County
Project Background & Description
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), in cooperation with Effingham County, has completed a multi-modal transportation study for Effingham County and the Cities of Guyton, Rincon, and Springfield. The study was necessitated by the expected growth that would take place in the area over the next 25 years. Population was projected to increase from today’s 47,000 to 80,000 in 2030. Employment would grow from 8,800 to 24,000 during the same period.
The outcome of this study was a transportation plan that elected officials and other policy makers could use to guide the transportation decision-making process in the County and the Cities over the next 25 years (2030). This transportation plan was a companion to the comprehensive plan recently completed by the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center. Together they would ensure that the growth in the County would be orderly and adequately supported by the transportation infrastructure.
As growth and development increases in Effingham County, the ability to improve the transportation facilities to provide for safe and efficient mobility of the users is important. GDOT, therefore, identified the need to complete this multi-modal study. Jacobs Engineering Inc., a consulting firm, conducted this study for GDOT.
The Study
The project study:
- Compiled existing data and analyzed existing conditions on travel patterns, accident statistics, demographic information, and safety issues in Effingham County, in addition to current and future land use and economic development growth
- Addressed issues associated with Effingham County, such as traffic demands, impacts of alternate transportation modes (rail, bus, etc.). It also considered access issues and potential improvements, including alternate interchange configurations, operational improvements, safety improvement, road paving, etc.
- Calculated future travel demands
- Developed a set of potential improvement scenarios (several different ideas of how Effingham County could be improved). All scenarios were open to the public and stakeholders for review and comment. Based on the comments received, a final set of improvement scenarios was developed
- Conducted several public information meetings geared towards receiving comments and suggestions from the public. In addition to the public information meetings, a web page on the study (including meeting dates, times, and locations) was hosted on the GDOT web site
- Developed the completed Multi-Modal Transportation Study for Effingham County. The plan contains both short-range (2006-2011) and long-range (2012-2030) potential improvements. These recommended improvements are prioritized based on safety, capacity, road paving, and multi-modal improvement types
- Based on the comments from the public and stakeholders, the plan was revised, and the final version, with full recommendations, was completed
- Recommended and evaluated potential funding sources
Study Documents
Contact Person
Kyle Mote
Project Manager
Georgia Department of Transportation
Office of Planning
One Georgia Center
600 West Peachtree Street, N.W.
Floor: 5, Location: 566
Atlanta, GA 30308
Telephone: 404-631-1811
Fax: 404-631-1957
E-mail: kmote@dot.ga.gov