In order to keep up with current and future growth in Forsyth County, local and state officials have been working together to widen roads, install roundabouts and interchanges and create new connector roads.

At a recent Board of Commissioners work session on Tuesday, Jan. 10, commissioners unanimously moved to authorize county staff to apply for the Georgia Department of Transportation Infrastructure Bank Grant to help fund the McGinnis Ferry Road widening project.

The county could receive $1.5 million from GDOT if accepted, which would help cover a portion of the estimated $60 million project.

In March 2022, commissioners approved condemning more than $6.3 million in 32 different right-of-way acquisitions for the project.

The project will include the widening of McGinnis Ferry Road for 4.6 miles from Sargent Road to Union Hill Road with two new lanes in each direction, a raised median and sidewalks. It is being funded by SPLOST and transportation bond funds.

In other transportation news, commissioners also approved directing county staff to send requests to GDOT for traffic signals connected to the Hwy. 369 widening and Ga. 400 interchange.

While the traffic lights along Hwy. 369 have been installed, they have not yet been turned on.

During discussion, District 4 Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills, who represents the area, said she was glad to be able to help get traffic lights installed at the entrance to the Bridgetowne neighborhood, which sits across from the Walmart on Hwy. 369.

Mills asked Director of Capital Projects John Jefferson how long it would take for GDOT to approve the county’s request and authorize operation of the traffic lights.

“I don’t know. This is our first time going through this so I’m going to find out,” Jefferson said.

The county requested that three traffic lights be turned on for operation: one at Hwy. 369 and the Ga. 400 northbound ramp, one at the Hwy. 369 and Ga. 400 southbound ramp and the final at the Hwy. 369 and Coal Mountain Parkway intersection.