Gwinnett road work first in line for sales tax money

By law, revenue from the special purpose sales tax passed by voters last fall must be spent for capital improvements in transportation, recreation, libraries, public safety and court facilities. About half the county’s share of money expected to be generated over the course of the five-year penny sales tax — $316 million according to revised estimates — will go to county transportation.

Brian Allen, Gwinnett’s transportation director, said residents should not expect a surge in road projects even if his department receives an early windfall.

First, he said, collections of the new sales tax have been flat, so there’s not a steady or reliable flow of revenue.

“We have to pay as we go,” Allen said. Money has to be in hand before the department commits to a major project, he said.

Revenue from the SPLOST was down 15 percent in June compared with June 2008, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. So far this year, the county has received $65.8 million in SPLOST revenue, compared with $70.4 million through June 2008, a drop of about 6 percent.

Secondly, Allen said, much of the “early” money his department would receive would go toward engineering and right of way purchases, expenses that residents don’t drive on.

“We would spend it as quickly and efficiently as we can,” Allen said. “We plan to work with the finance staff to determine what can be done as quickly as possible.”

Still, there are a few projects residents may see sooner rather than later, deputy transportation director Alan Chapman said.

He said work will continue on the Sugarloaf Parkway extension, with Phase 3 of the project, from Martins Chapel Road northeast to Campbell Road, possibly moving up for bidding later this year.

Construction on another major project, the widening of Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth to six lanes from Buford Highway to Howell Ferry Road, could begin as early as next year, Chapman said. Widening work is already under way from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Buford Highway.

In addition, Chapman said residents could see improved access to Georgia Gwinnett College with the extensions of Tree Creek Road and Collins Industrial Way. There are two bridge replacements, one on Lee Road over No Business Creek, the other on Patterson Road at Pew Creek, that could move up to 2010, he said.

In all, $50 million of the sales tax money has been committed to resurfacing roadways.

“You’ll see a good bit of that,” Chapman said.