The Georgia Department of Transportation has advised the City of Alpharetta that the completion dates for the State Route 9 Improvement Project have been separated for the southern and northern sections of the project. The southern section, which runs from Upper Hembree Road to Old Milton Parkway, is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2025. The northern section, which runs from Academy Street to Windward Parkway, is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
The project began in April 2021 and was originally scheduled for completion in Spring 2024.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the original timetable has been negatively impacted by delays in underground and overhead utility relocations, including water and sewer lines, power, and communications utilities. Additionally, design plans at some locations along the corridor have had to be changed due to changes in right-of-way requirements stemming from new residential developments.
The State Route 9 Improvement Project is a $50 million reconstruction project that will widen the 3.6 miles of the state road to four travel lanes from its intersection at Upper Hembree Road through Windward Parkway. Additionally, turn lanes will be provided at key intersections and raised medians added in other locations. Other features include the addition of 10-foot-wide sidewalks with ADA-compliant sidewalks, bike lanes, on-street parking in key locations, pedestrian lighting, and ornamental landscaping. Traffic signals, pedestrian signals, and stormwater infrastructure along the road are also being upgraded.
Planned Activity Through October 2024:
The primary activities in the southern section of the project include continued construction of sidewalks, installation of curb and gutter, installation of new traffic signals, and utility relocations. The current closure of Maxwell Road at State Route 9 will remain in place through October as crews work to complete the reconfiguration of the intersection.
In the northern section of the project utility relocation work and boring for new signal conduits will continue, as will the installation of curb, gutter, sidewalks, concrete islands, and driveways. GDOT anticipates initial asphalt paving work to begin during this period.
Impacts During Construction:
In general, GDOT has restricted lane closures, traffic pacing, or movement of construction equipment or materials to minimize impacts on traffic during peak commute hours. This means that lane closures are generally not permitted on weekdays from 6AM to 9AM and 3PM to 9PM or on Sundays between 8AM and 1:30 PM. Periodic detours and traffic shifts should be expected, however, while construction of the State Route 9 Improvement Project continues.
For safety, some sidewalks in the area are currently closed to pedestrian traffic, but in those areas, sidewalks remain open on at least one side of the roadway.