Johns Creek Nabs Loan To Resurface Streets

The city of Johns Creek has been awarded funding to make repairs and resurface various roads in its jurisdiction.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced the approval on Wednesday in a press release from the State Road and Tollway Authority.

Johns Creek's grant award is part of 20 transportation infrastructure projects totaling $33 million in grants and loans that were approved by Deal. 

The funding will be provided by the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. 

Administered by the State Road and Tollway Authority, the Bank is a revolving infrastructure investment fund established in 2008 by the Georgia General Assembly. 

Community improvement districts, as well as local and state government entities are eligible for GTIB grant and loan funding. Final approval is made by the SRTA Board, which is chaired by the governor.

Johns Creek's loan award totals $4 million, is slated to be used to improve mobility and safety, "promote economic development and increase the quality of life and general welfare of the public by repairing and resurfacing public residential neighborhood streets within the city of Johns Creek to an acceptable level," according to the authority's news release. 

The repairs also will stabilize neighborhood roads from further deterioration that would require a much larger expenditure in the future.

Johns Creek spokesperson Doug Nurse said the City Council will discuss the award on Monday during its work session. It will also start work on a multi-year repaving plan for neighborhood streets, which will address "which streets or subdivisions will be fixed in what order," Nurse added. 

In 2012, the city hired Stantec to drive all the streets in Johns Creek to assess their condition. The report concluded the city will need to spend $30 million to reach the ideal goal of bringing all of its streets to a rating of 70 out of 100, Nurse stated.

Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker praised the award.

“In 2006, the city of Johns Creek inherited a street system that was far below standard,” he said. “Since then, we have put tremendous effort into upgrading major roads and working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation to see that state routes are properly maintained. With these funds, we will be able to take a small step towards improving our neighborhood streets. In the coming weeks we will be looking at a long-term paving plan that will include proper maintenance. Improvement of our neighborhood streets will enhance the quality of life for our citizens, support property values, and promote economic development.”