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North Ave Public Engagement
About the "Reimagine North Avenue" project
In the summer of 2022, Athens-Clarke County was awarded a $24.97 million federal grant to “reimagine” the North Avenue corridor.
These grant funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program, which invests in community infrastructure projects that modernize roads, bridges, transit systems, and other forms of transportation.
The program aims to make transportation systems safer, more accessible, affordable, and sustainable.
ACCGov staff plan to engage with residents and users of the corridor this fall. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027.
Project Limits
Reimagine North Avenue extends from Downtown Athens, at the intersection of North Avenue and Willow Street, to just north of SR-10 at the intersection of Freeman Drive/Collins Industrial Boulevard.
Goals
- Create safe pedestrian and bicycle connections to job centers and services
- Improve connectivity and mobility options for transit-dependent populations
- Address racial equity through better access and opportunity
- Reduce climate impacts through lower emissions and improved water quality
- Increase economic prosperity for Areas of Persistent Poverty
- Improve safety, while reducing conflicts for all modes of transportation
- Improve state of good repair through reconstruction of aging infrastructure
- Create an attractive, welcoming, and cohesive community corridor
- Improve stormwater management and quality through green infrastructure
Potential Project Scope
Ten bus stops along the corridor will be upgraded to accommodate sidewalks and transit stops. Throughout the corridor, traffic signals will be upgraded with pedestrian signals, and lighting and wayfinding will be installed. The road will be resurfaced with drainage improvements, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be constructed.
Willow Street Intersection
- New left turn lane from Willow St to North Ave
- Mast arm signals
- Upgraded pedestrian signals
- Install missing sidewalks
- Install missing crosswalks
- Retaining Wall
- Repaving
- Enhanced lighting and landscaping
- Transit stop enhancements
- Park and greenway access
Bridge over North Oconee River
- Replace aging and deficient bridge
- Install shared use path (east side) and sidewalk (west side)
- Enhanced lighting
- Interpretive signage
Dr. MLK Jr Parkway Intersection
- Mast arm signals Upgraded pedestrian signals Repaving
- Green infrastructure
- Enhanced lighting and landscaping
Strickland Ave Realignment
- Realign skewed intersection
- Mast arm signals
- Upgraded pedestrian signals
- Reduce pedestrian crossing distances
- Large-scale green infrastructure
- Enhanced lighting and landscaping
- Repaving
Bike & Pedestrian Facilities
- High-visibility raised crossings on side streets and major driveways throughout
- Bicycle and Pedestrian infrastructure along North Avenue throughout (1.07 miles)
- Landscaped buffer (between 5 and 9 feet)
- High visibility crossings
- Wayfinding signage
Northcrest Dr Intersection
- Mast arm signals
- Upgraded pedestrian signals
- Pedestrian bridge connection
- Adjusted stop bar location
- Repaving
- Enhanced lighting and landscaping
Freeman Dr Intersection
- Mast arm signals
- Upgraded pedestrian signals
- Widened ped/bike waiting areas at corners
- New median refuges
- Repaving
- Enhanced lighting and landscaping
GDOT SR 10 Bridge Replacement
- Multi-span bridge over SR-10 and ramps
- Bike & Pedestrian facilities
- Lighting
- Connects to shared use path
PI 0019833