Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Five key land decisions from commissioners Tuesday mean nearly every piece is in place for the first section of the planned Sugarloaf Parkway extension.

Commissioners approved two purchases - at a cost of $2,008,900 - and to begin condemnation proceedings on three more tracts at a value of $834,500.

"We're getting there," Commissioner Mike Beaudreau said. "People have asked us to work on traffic solutions. That Sugarloaf extension, being limited access, will be very helpful to local traffic."

The county has closed on 44 of the 53 parcels needed for the first section, which will run from the current end of the road at Ga. Highway 20 south of Lawrenceville to New Hope Road. Deputy Transportation Director Alan Chapman said the remaining parcels are under contract.

County officials began advertising for bidders for the construction contract, and Chapman said he hoped to have crews working by the end of the year.

The six-mile first phase of the extension, which will continue to Ga. Highway 316, is expected to take five years and cost up to $100 million. Officials have not secured funding for a proposed future extension to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Sugar Hill.