Consensus on transit elusive as Gwinnett seeks traffic solutions

You can also take an online survey about Gwinnett's transportation needs at https://destination2040.metroquest.com/.

On a recent night in Buford, 30 people huddled over highway maps, throwing out their ideas on how Gwinnett County can solve its rush-hour traffic mess.

They chuckled and nodded as they discussed which roads they wanted to widen, citing examples of gridlock nightmares: Buford Highway, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, I-985, Highway 78.

But, when talk turned to mass transit, the unanimity vanished.

For some of residents attending that Tuesday’s transportation hearing, it was obvious what needed to be done: extend MARTA — or something like it — all the way to the Mall of Georgia. Others scoffed, citing a common estimate that it would cost $100 million a mile.

“You could buy everybody a new car for what it would cost to do that,” said Mike Waters, a former engineer for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

“But you couldn’t get them all on I-85,” said transit supporter Chuck Gillespie, sitting across the table.

The exchange was cordial but telling. As Georgia’s second-largest county plans transportation improvements for the next 25 years, one of its biggest challenges will be finding consensus on the role of mass transit.

Gwinnett voters have twice rejected MARTA. But once again, county officials are gauging residents' interest in mass transit as they develop a long-term transportation plan this year.

As part of that effort, the county is hosting a series of hearings to seek public input on everything from roads and transit to bike and pedestrian paths. More than 60 people have attended the hearings so far.

Another 1,600 registered their opinions in an online transportation survey. In addition, the county plans to conduct a scientific telephone poll of residents this spring.

Gwinnett maintains about 2,500 miles of roads, more than 180 bridges and culverts and 705 traffic signals. It also operates the Gwinnett County Airport, as well as local and express bus service.

Most of the county’s efforts to improve transportation are usually not controversial. But transit remains a lightning rod.

Gwinnett has added hundreds of thousands of residents since the last time voters rejected MARTA in 1990. Today, many residents say such transit would go a long way toward unclogging local highways at rush hour.

“The opinion that some people have – not in my backyard – is going to have to go away,” Gillespie said.

A poll conducted by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce last year suggests the county remains divided on the issue: half of likely voters said they would pay a 1 percent sales tax to support a MARTA expansion.

Gwinnett County political leaders have shown little inclination to endorse another MARTA vote. But County Commission Charlotte Nash recently suggested bus rapid transit — large buses departing from transit stations and using dedicated lanes to carry commuters – could play a role in Gwinnett's future.

Nash has also said the future of transit should be addressed through this year's transportation planning initiative.

That initiative is expected to yield suggestions for short-term transportation projects, which could be funded by the renewal of a special sales tax. Voters will decide in November.

Longer term projects – including any mass transit initiatives – likely would be part of the final plan, due early next year. Gwinnett officials will analyze the public’s suggestions – along with demographic data, cost estimates and other information – before finalizing the plan.

At the recent public meetings, Gwinnett officials encouraged residents to suggest all the improvements they think are needed. But because money is scarce, they acknowledged many ideas won’t make the final cut.

“This is what I would call the aspirational phase,” said Gwinnett Transportation Director Alan Chapman. “Then we have to put a price tag on everything.”