Athens-Clarke County officials are looking for public input as they weigh how to spend $8 million on improvements to one of the county’s busiest corridors.
The Lexington Road corridor sees thousands of cars each day, from nearly 12,000 vehicles per day around Southeast Clarke Park to nearly 30,000 per day near the Loop 10 interchange, according to data from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Most of the proposed changes, however, have to do with making the stretch of road safer and more friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The money to fund the improvements comes from TSPLOST 2023, a one percent sales tax levied across the county to fund transportation projects. As part of that process, several proposals were submitted, including a $4.7 million measure to create nearly two miles of sidewalks on the road, and a more ambitious $19 million plan to add sidewalks and multiuse paths.
The county is also considering adding more pedestrian crossings on the busy road.
A 2022 public engagement survey revealed that while not many people surveyed walk along Lexington Road – less than 5% said they walk it daily or often – nearly 90 percent of respondents agreed with the idea of adding more sidewalks. Around 15% of respondents said they would walk along Lexington Road daily or often if sidewalks were added.
A survey is open on the Athens-Clarke County website through August 11. Additionally, the county will hold an open house on August 1 at 5:00 p.m. at the ACC Police Department East Precinct on Lexington Road.
