(DEC. 30, 2025) — Nearly $8 million in federal funding is coming to Cherokee County for safety improvements to the Highway 92 corridor.
As part of the Safe Streets and Road for All (SS4A) program, Cherokee County submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for funding assistance in June. The County was awarded $7.6 million for the Highway 92 Multimodal Safety Project, the U.S. DOT announced Dec. 23.
Cherokee County Roadway SPLOST Director Patrick Bradshaw worked with Pond & Company, the consultant hired to complete the SS4A plan, to complete the application earlier their year following the completion of the SS4A study.
“It’s a great example of extending our bandwidth with consultant assistance to maximize our leverage for the benefit of the citizen and taxpayer with a great return on investment, maximizing safety and funding,” said Community Development Agency Director Brantley Day. “Between the $450,000 federal award for the SS4A study and the shared 20% local match with the cities, the County’s out-of-pocket cost was $74,348 to both complete a study valued at $562,000 and assist with a grant application with an award of $7.6 million.”
Cherokee County was one of 521 communities nationwide that secured part of the $982 million in federal funding and one of only five counties in Georgia to secure the funding.
Specific safety improvement project areas include Highway 92 at Bells Ferry Road, Highway 92 at Kellogg Creek Road, Highway 92 at Trickum Road, Highway 92 at Woodstock Road, Highway 92 at Lovejoy Lane, Highway 92 from Bells Ferry Road to Lovejoy Lane, Highway 92 from Main Street to Trickum Road, Highway 92 from Kellogg Creek Road to Woodstock Road, Highway 92 from Woodstock Road to Wade Green Road NW, and Highway 92 from Kellogg Creek Road to Trickum Road (corridor wide).
While improvements for each specific project area vary, improvements include LED lighting installation, emergency vehicle pre-emption equipment, evaluation of median openings to determine if conversion to directional openings are needed, traffic light timing, pedestrian signalization, and improved signage.
T-SPLOST funds will be used for any required match.
Cherokee County, along with the cities of Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs and Ball Ground, were awarded a $450,000 action plan grant from the U.S. DOT in February 2023. The county engaged Pond and Company to assist with public engagement and create the transportation safety plan. A public participation survey allowed residents to provide feedback regarding roads they travel daily. Public meetings continued through summer and fall 2024 with the final plan being adopted earlier this year.
To view the full safety action plan, visit cherokeecountyga.gov and click on the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan button on the homepage.
+++
MEDIA CONTACT
Erika Neldner, Communications Director
ebneldner@cherokeecountyga.gov | 678-493-6015
