GWINNETT, Ga. — Over the past decades, Gwinnett County has expanded rapidly. In 2001, there were less than 600,000, now the County has approximately 900,000 people.
The growth of the county is not expected to slow down anytime soon. In fact, by 2040 it is predicted that over 1.3 million people will live in Gwinnett County.
In hopes to ease the already congested roads, the Gwinnett came up with a Transit Plan.
The plan is a 30 year plan, the county would potentially like to use in order to address some of the challenges they face ahead.
Last year, Gwinnett County Commission approved a contract with MARTA that requires voter approval.
If approved, that means, sales tax will rise from 6% to 7% so that the county has funding to implement the transit plan.
During a six year time period 29% of the sales tax proceeds Gwinnett County receives will be paid to MARTA.
Immediately, MARTA will take over Gwinnett County Transit and expand. The expansion will include modification to existing routes and additional routes.
During the first few years, residents will see new changes like Direct Connect a bi-directional transit service that will connect to MARTA rail service.
But, some things will take longer, like MARTA expanding its heavy rail system to Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County has provided full details of its 30 year transit plan. As March 19 approaches more town halls on the MARTA referendum appear. The County will host the following MARTA referendum open house:
- Tuesday, Jan. 22 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Bogan Park Community Recreation Center Community Room, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford
- Wednesday, Jan. 23 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center Community Room, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake
- Thursday, Jan. 24 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mountain Park Activity Building, 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain
- Monday, Jan. 28 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Grayson City Hall Senior Center, 475 Grayson Parkway, Grayson
- Wednesday, Jan. 30 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center Community Room, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee
- Monday, Feb. 4 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center Community Room, 4651 Britt Road, Norcross
- Thursday, Feb. 7 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main St., Duluth
- Saturday, Feb. 9 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., OneStop Norcross, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross
- Monday, Feb. 11 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dacula Park Activity Building, 2735 Old Auburn Road, Dacula
- Tuesday, Feb. 12 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sugar Hill City Hall, 5039 W Broad St., Sugar Hill
- Thursday, Feb. 21 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth
- Saturday, Feb. 23 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville
- Thursday, Feb. 28 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fire Academy, 3608 Braselton Highway, Dacula
- Monday, March 11 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, 970 McElvaney Lane, Lawrenceville
- Georgia Gwinnett College, dates and location TBD
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