Sandy Springs picks Mount Vernon Corridor consultant

Sandy Springs will pay KCI Technologies Inc. $691,200 to design improvements for the Mount Vernon Highway Corridor from Johnson Ferry Road to the Sandy Springs MARTA station. GOOGLE MAPS

Sandy Springs will pay KCI Technologies Inc. $691,200 to design improvements for the Mount Vernon Highway Corridor from Johnson Ferry Road to the Sandy Springs MARTA station. GOOGLE MAPS

The Sandy Springs City Council has approved a $691,200 contract to have a consultant draw up construction and right-of-way plans for the Mount Vernon Highway Corridor from Johnson Ferry Road to the Sandy Springs MARTA station.

The contract with KCI Technologies Inc., subject to the review and approval of the legal and finance departments, will be funded by the Transportation Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) approved by Fulton County voters outside the city of Atlanta last November.

The goals are safety and operational improvements including increased capacity, and provisions for pedestrians, bicyclists and landscaping, the consultant said in its proposal. Also, a “multi-modal lane” is to be provided for future transit options.

KCI cited design challenges including a limited right-of-way due to dense residential and commercial development, and schools, churches, a public library and a cemetery along the route. It also cited improvements already planned, including a roundabout at Johnson Ferry and a new bridge over Ga. 400.

The consultant promised to work closely with city staff, elected officials and the public “to develop and implement a plan that accomplishes the goals.”