Media release: The Georgia Department of Transportation and the State Transportation Board are paving the way for economic development and job creation in Bartow County. Georgia DOT recently approved the preparation of a county contract covering the construction of a new road to connect the Lakepoint Sporting Community and Town Center, currently under construction, to the state and national highway system near the city of Emerson, Bartow County.
"I am proud that through our working relationship with local and state officials that we can support Bartow County's efforts for job creation and economic development and help it meet its growing transportation needs," Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said.
While contract preparation has begun, construction on this new road project cannot begin until the contract has been signed and a work order issued.
The project includes 1.641 miles of roadway construction on the Lakepoint South Campus. It consists of two thirds of a mile of roadway to be called LakePoint Parkway, nearly half a mile of roadway to be named Bass Pro Parkway, and close to half a mile of widening and reconstruction on Old Allatoona Road.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony for the Lakepoint Sporting Community in Bartow County was held on Thursday, November 1, 2012. The $1 billion 1,200 acre sports complex could quickly put Bartow County and the city of Emerson on the national sports map, and help create about 26,000 jobs in Northwest Georgia by the time it opens in 2014.
"The Georgia DOT and those involved with the sports complex development in Bartow County should be congratulated," said State Transportation Board Member Jeff Lewis. Lewis who represents Georgia's Eleventh Congressional District, including Bartow County, has been instrumental in gaining approval for this project.
Funding for this new road project comes from the Georgia DOT's Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program, which allows local governments to decide the types of project that are most beneficial to their local jurisdiction. Every year, Georgia DOT notifies local governments to submit requests for their local transportation needs. Funding for LMIG is allocated each fiscal year and is between 10 and 20 percent of the funding from the state motor fuel taxes collected in the preceding fiscal year. Funds for projects are distributed to local governments by a formula based on population and local road mileage. Funds can be rolled over for three fiscal years to assist with funding more expensive projects.
LMIG funds can only be used on improvements for roads and bridges within county, city or state rights-of-way. Eligible projects include—but are not limited to—safety, economic development, sidewalk, maintenance and bridge.
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