click here for a .pdf copy of Congressman Barrow's Highway Priority Transportation Project requests  

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is drafting new transportation authorization legislation to replace the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which expires on September 30, 2009.  Although the vast majority of funding is distributed to states and local governments by formula, a small percentage is held aside for Members of Congress to designate for High Priority Projects (HPPs) in their states and congressional districts.  All too often we experience instances where dangerous roads are not addressed in a timely manner or critical projects cannot move forward because funding is not available.  This HPP funding will support transportation projects and respond directly to the needs of our district. 

I've requested projects that I believe complement the work already being done by the U.S. Department of Transportation, individual states, metropolitan planning organizations, and public transit agencies.  These projects represent diverse transportation needs from across the Twelfth Congressional District.  I chose these projects under strict criteria, and a letter of support from a governmental entity was required for each request. 

Below are the projects that I submitted to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for approval:

Chatham Area Transit (CAT) Center:  The Transit Center will occupy the site near the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Oglethorpe St.  Facility will include space for future Greyhound operations, and a transfer facility for all current CAT bus routes, as well as space for trolleys, automobiles parking, taxicabs, bicycles and pedestrian facilities.  It will also be completely ADA compliant and accessible to all people. 

$10,000,000

Improve Windsor Spring Road Phase V: Would widen and reconstruct Windsor Spring Rd. from approximately 1500' south of SR 88 in Hephzibah to Willis Foreman Rd.  This includes replacing the structurally deficient bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad.       

$6,250,000

Jimmy Deloach Connector: The project proposes the construction of the Jimmy Deloach Connector.  This roadway would begin at Bourne Ave./SR 307 and terminate at the eastern end of the Jimmy Deloach Pkwy in Chatham County, GA.           

$130,000,000

East Greene Street Extension: This project will extend approximately 1500 feet of Greene St from Elbert St., going east and connecting to the Oconee River Greenway project.  Improvements include: new road construction, curb and gutter, streetlights, landscaping and accommodations for bicycle and pedestrian travel. 

$500,000

Construct 10,900' siding near Tennille, GA: This project is a freight rail capacity project on Norfolk Southern's Macon to Savannah rail line which serves the Port of Savannah.  Improvements would create the capacity and service required to support the expected growth of the Port by constructing two passing tracks, one near Tennille and the other in McIntyre.            

$4,800,000

Widen I-520 from US 78 to US 1, Augusta GA: This project will widen I-520 from 4 to 6 lanes from US 1/ Dean Bridge Road to US 78/ Gordon Highway.  Interchange reconstruction at Deans Bridge Road and Gordon Highway.    

$5,000,000

Reconstruct SR 56, Bennock Mill Rd to Old Waynesboro Rd., Richmond Co: This project will acquire right-of-way to widen/reconstruct SR 56 from CR 17/ Bennock Mill Road to CR 1516/ Old Waynesboro Road to provide 4 lanes with a median and 10-foor shoulders.             

$5,000,000

Widen SR 26/ US 80 between SR 67 and CS 802/ Lovett Street, Statesboro, GA: This project will acquire right-of-way to widen SR 26/US 80 from 2 to 4 lanes between SR 67 and CS 802/ Lovett Street.        

$5,000,000

Widen US 80, CR 491 to CR 423/ Old Lee Field Road, Bulloch Co. GA: This project will acquire right of way to widen SR 26/US 80 from the end of the 5-lane section at CR 491 to CR 423/ Old Lee Field Road, 3.1 miles SE of Statesboro.      

$3,472,662

Widen SR 204/ Abercorn St., King George Blvd. to Rio Rd., Savannah, GA: This project will acquire right-of-way to widen SR 204/ Abercorn Street from King George Boulevard to Rio Road from 4 to 6 lanes.  (4.5 miles)         

$9,805,493

The Brampton Road Project: The project would consist of a new location roadway beginning northwest of SR 25/I-516 interchange at the intersection of Burnsed Blvd. and SR 25/ Main Street and continuing northeasterly until connecting with the existing Brampton Road.  The existing portion of Brampton Road will be widened to accommodate two left turn lanes into the Georgia Ports Authority's Gate 3.  The overall project length is approximately 1 mile.

$26,650,000

Norfolk Southern Wye Project: This project will improve the efficiency of rail operations at the Georgia Ports Authority's James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility.  The project includes the installation of a wye connection at the intersection of the Norfolk Southern Atlanta and Savannah mainline and the Norfolk Southern Foundation Lead.  Also the installation of lead-in tracks on the south end of the James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer facility and the expansion of the working tracks within the James D. Mason Intermodal Container Transfer facility.

$24,400,000

Phase III Project of the Oconee River Park and Riverwalk:  Provides funds for design and construction of approximately 1.5 miles of 10' wide multi-use concrete trail with 2' wide cleared shoulders, an ampitheater, restrooms, and parking lot.  Acquisition of right-of-way will consist of a conservation lease between Georgia Military College and ORGA.

$2,200,000