Senators Isakson, Perdue Welcome Federal Investment in Georgia Highway System

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Friday, December 7th, 2018

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that Georgia’s highway system will receive a federal grant to assist with an interchange project in Barrow County, Ga. The Georgia Department of Transportation will receive an award of $24,821,050 for a project at the intersection of State Route 316 (SR 316)/U.S. Route 29 and State Route 11 (SR 11) to improve traffic flow and accommodate future widening of SR 316.
 
An estimated 30,000 cars and trucks travel along SR 316 daily, and nearly 10,000 cars a day pass through the intersection on SR 11. A bridge will be built to allow SR 316 traffic to continue over SR 11. The work on SR 11 will extend for approximately 0.4 miles. On SR 316, the work will span approximately 1.1 miles.
 
This construction investment is made available through U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants program.
 
“This investment is welcome news for the thousands of Georgians who commute daily on Highway 316 where there is increased congestion caused by tremendous growth in the area,” said Isakson. “I was glad to help support this project, which will improve traffic flow and safety. I appreciate the attention and leadership shown by Secretary Chao and President Trump to prioritize Americans’ needs through investments in our infrastructure that will help hardworking families and our economy.”
 
“As a business guy, President Trump knows the federal government needs to prioritize infrastructure projects that will have the greatest return on investment,” said Perdue. “Thousands of Georgians travel on Highway 316 every day, and this project will help reduce traffic delays, while supporting the additional growth in the area. President Trump and Secretary Chao continue to make Georgia’s infrastructure needs a priority.”
 
“The Georgia Department of Transportation is truly grateful to the USDOT for providing Georgia a $24.8M BUILD grant to build an interchange at SR 316 and SR 11 in Barrow County,” said Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry. “This grant is significant and aids in our efforts to improve safety and operations along SR 316 from I-85 to Athens while enhancing quality of life and Georgia’s economic competitiveness along this critical corridor. The BUILD grant award also recognizes the USDOT’s focus on transportation investment in rural America. We are very grateful for the strong support of both Senators Isakson and Perdue on this project and their focus on Georgia’s transportation infrastructure.”