Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Two local community improvement districts were awarded million-dollar grants by the governor Wednesday, both for major transportation improvements in their areas.

A $1.5 million grant from the State Road and Tollway Authority will help fix one of the most dangerous intersections in the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District, a press release said.

The money will go toward a $4 million pedestrian safety and congestion relief project at the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Singleton Road.

"These are projects that can move the needle on addressing traffic congestion while unlocking economic growth." Gov. Sonny Perdue said when announcing a total of eight grants. "This program is giving local communities a tool to make projects affordable and doable."

The Evermore CID, which is centered around U.S. Highway 78, will receive a $750,000 grant as well as a $500,000 low-interest loan from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank.

The money will help with projects including a parallel connector from Hewatt to Parkwood to Britt roads and the realignment of Walton Court.

"One of the reasons that Evermore was selected is the fact that the CID has always understood that land use and development patterns are intrinsically tied to market driven opportunities," CID board Chairman Dwight Harrison said. "This integration of economic development, land use and public policy has resulted in planning initiatives that have linked quality redevelopment to transportation-oriented design initiatives that will contribute to the revitalization of the area."