Fixing roads is the top priority of hundreds of Gwinnett County residents who were asked to rate the county’s long-term transportation needs.
Improving transportation safety, road maintenance and new mass transit options also were priorities for many residents, though final results won't be known until the county completes an online survey at the end of this month.
This year Gwinnett County is studying ways to improve its transportation system, a process that includes crunching data on everything from population forecasts to traffic patterns. The county also is soliciting public opinion on eight transportation priorities, ranging from walking and biking paths to better transportation access for people with disabilities or other challenges.
About 325 people attended a recent series of public hearings to discuss transportation. Gwinnett officials approached 702 others at parks, senior centers and community events.
They’re still compiling the results, but on Tuesday county commissioners received a preliminary briefing. And improving vehicular travel – which includes everything from re-timing traffic signals to widening roads – was the clear top priority of those who have responded so far.
Less clear is what residents picked for second, third and other priorities. At the public hearings, for example, improving “connectivity” by building new roads and trails was the No. 2 choice, with new mass transit options at No. 3. But at the parks and other venues, improving transportation safety – by, for example, improving signage or rebuilding intersections – was the second choice, followed by maintenance of roads and bridges.
The results did not include more than 3,270 people who have taken an online survey of transportation priorities. That survey will continue through the end of the month. You can express your opinion about Gwinnett's transportation priorities by taking the survey here.
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