NEXT STEPS

  • For more than 15 months, the consultant team has been underway with environmental and engineering studies to compare and evaluate two alternative corridors recommended from the approved 2015 feasibility study. Alternatives 2B and 3B were presented at the Public Information Open House (PIOH) on August 24th in their conceptual layouts. The Alternative 2B and 3B alignments, while conceptual, provided a good basis to compare their ability to serve the traveling public while avoiding important natural, cultural, and community resources. Another consideration has been spacing of the proposed I-75 interchange options and the relative potential for delays in the federal approval of modifications to the interstate system.

    In looking at both support and concerns expressed in recent public comments, Alternative 2B received the most overall support. It also offers a more direct connection to I-75, while having comparable impacts to streams, wetlands, and historic properties as Alternative 3B. At the same time, the project team realized that improvements could be made to further reduce neighborhood and business impacts. Therefore, we are announcing that Alternative 2B is being carried forward into the detailed environmental studies and preliminary design. The environmental and design consultants will work together to refine the alignment even further into the preferred alternative as the federal environmental documentation is completed. During the preliminary design, traffic volumes and other data will be collected to evaluate intersection treatments, shifts, and industrial access in addition to the environmental assessment. 

Click on the images to get a closer look or download them HERE!

DESIGN UPDATES

View the Press Release for the recent alternative announcement HERE!

Check back for periodic updates about the RCDC project.

RCDC & THE ENVIRONMENT

ROME-CARTERSVILLE DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR

PROJECT MILESTONES

  • Improve access and connectivity to support economic development: Enhance access to existing and future development


  • Improve truck route: Accommodate growing freight traffic and relieve existing truck congestion on other roadways


  • Provide better local access: Increase mobility and connectivity in the corridor and surrounding areas


  • Improve connection to I-75: Support existing industry and planned growth in Floyd and Bartow Counties
  • As an economic development corridor, the proposed RCDC highway will provide efficient traffic flow for commuters and industries in Floyd and Bartow Counties. New traffic data will be collected to support important studies for the interchange at I-75 and the intersections along the corridor. The traffic analyses will consider options so that GDOT's team can design the appropriate intersection types that meet the project purpose along with state and federal design requirements. 
  • Complete environmental data collection with agency review


  • Complete conceptual design with survey data


  • Prepare Environmental Assessment and Interchange

         Modification/Justification Report at I-75, both for FHWA approval


  • Prepare preliminary, right-of-way, and final plans


  • Conduct right-of-way process


  • Initiate construction

What is the environmental process and why is it needed?

What is the RCDC project and why is it needed?

NEED & PURPOSE

Within the past two years, GDOT’s environmental team has been busy conducting surveys within two broad alternative corridors that were introduced to the CAC in November 2015. Prior to starting in the field, we mailed more than 300 letters to alert property owners and introduce the RCDC project. While we conducted desktop research on many topics required in the environmental process, our primary focus has been on the extensive field surveys including the following: database then supported effective planning by the engineering team to refine the broad corridors into two preliminary alternatives. 


• Wetlands, streams, open waters (more than 70)

• Habitat including protected plants and animals

• Aquatic species

• Bats and migratory birds

• Cultural resources


Using the survey results, the team created a database of the resources and constraints with Geographical Information System (GIS) and other software. This database then supported effective planning by the engineering team to refine the broad corridors into Alternative 2B. Ongoing environmental studies will continue to support the design. 

  • Fall 2017 – Winter 2020

         Conceptual & Preliminary Design


  • Summer 2020

         FHWA Environmental Approval


  • Summer 2020 – Summer 2022

         Right-of-Way Acquisition


  • Summer 2022

         Plans Available for Construction

 CURRENT MAPS