After unanimous approval tonight by its downtown development authority, the city of Marietta is moving forward with a plan to speed up construction of many transportation improvements voters approved as part of the 2005 special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).

Marietta City Council approved June 13, 2007, the issuance of $9.8 million in bonds to accelerate transportation projects funded by the penny on the dollar sales tax voters approved nearly two years ago. The city will spend proceeds from the bonds to begin construction of improvements ahead of schedule instead of waiting on income from the sales tax.

By starting the projects earlier instead of waiting, the city expects it will save money because the interest on the bonds will be less expensive than the rising construction costs and increased real estate values anticipated while waiting. The accelerated schedule is not expected to increase the total costs to the city for the projects.
Accelerated traffic improvements

The accelerated schedule would jump start road improvements between one and four years earlier throughout the city including:

* Atlanta Street
* Church Street at North Marietta Parkway — intersection improvements
* Fairground Street from Allgood Road to North Marietta Parkway
* Fairground Street from North Marietta Parkway to South Marietta Parkway
* Franklin Road at Delk Road
* Franklin Road from South Marietta Parkway to Delk Road
* Kennesaw Avenue
* Kennesaw Avenue over Noses Creek
* Lake Drive at South Marietta Parkway
* Lawrence Street
* Powder Springs Street — streetscapes
* South Marietta Parkway — median and sidewalk improvements

For more information, call the city of Marietta’s Public Works Department at 770-794-5650.