About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2013)
COMMUNITY Isakson celebrates Johnson Ferry/Abernathy Road widening BY DAN WHISENHUNT danwhisenhunt@reporternewspapers.net In many ways, the 40-year wait to improve one of Sandy Springs’ major east-west corridors mirrored the story of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s politi cal career. The road and Isakson’s political fortunes faced the same adversary: politics. Isakson failed at running for higher office after serving in the state House from 1977 to 1990, losing a bid for governor in 1990 and later, a bid for U.S. Senate in 1996. The widening of Johnson Ferry and Abernathy Roads was on the minds of voters in 1977, but politics delayed the project for de cades. “The politics were so bad between Cobb and Fulton County about 20 years ago, that somebody shot out the light with an elephant gun on the Cobb County side of Johnson Ferry Road Bridge, because of the tension between the two counties,” Isakson said. On April 29, Isakson, who became a U.S. Senator in 2005, stood in front of the completed road and said it was worth the wait. It’ll be a smoother ride from here on out, he told the crowd gathered at an event to mark the proj ect’s end. The slow drizzle of rain wasn’t bother ing him. Snow wouldn’t have even both ered him, he said. The road was finished. He wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to cut the ribbon and close that chapter. “I look forward to spending the rest of my life riding on Johnson Ferry and Abernathy, not being parked on John son Ferry and Abernathy,” Isakson said. The project cost $25.7 million, and Isakson, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999 be fore becoming a U.S. Senator, helped find the money to pay for it. Contrac tors expanded Abernathy Road from Johnson Ferry to Roswell Road, widen ing the east to west corridor from two lanes to four. The project included a me dian, bike lanes and sidewalks, too. The project also expanded Johnson Ferry from Columns Drive, just across the river, to Abernathy Road. Contrac tors widened Columns to Riverside Drive to six lanes, and Riverside to Ab ernathy to four lanes. That portion of the project also has a median, sidewalks and bike lanes. Eventually the city of Sandy Springs will complete the Abernathy Greenway Linear Park project along the intersec tion of Abernathy and Brandon Mill Road, a projected noted in Isakson’s “thank you” speech. Residents’ com plaints about portions of the road proj ect helped to delay the park’s opening, pushing it back to early 2014. Isakson said the residents driving the road four decades ago were furious when the road was two lanes. He remembered DAN WHISENHUNT Sen. Isakson speaks to reporters on April 29. it well. After the press conference, one of the reporters gathered around the sena tor asked if there would be a traffic study that would measure whether the expan sion reduced gridlock. Isakson looked at the reporter as if he’d just asked whether the rain falling from the sky would make the ground wet. “You must’ve never been out here be fore,” Isakson said to the reporter. “You don’t have to study it.” Atlanta Aesthetic Center NO Cutting! NO Stitching! NO Downtime! NO KIDDING! The Vampire Facelift® Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles Restoration of volume to the face Improved skin tone and clarity Safe and Effective Using your own blood, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is the safest method to stimulate collagen and tissue regeneration allowing you to grow new, youthful looking skin. It's Customized Everyone's needs are unique when it comes to the signs of aging. Therefore, a personalized treatment plan is important for achieving your best results. ‘Free FaciaC with your complimentary consultation! Must bring this coupon in for redemption. I Expires: 5/17/13 Coupon Value $45.00. New clients only. JidditionaC Services JLvaiCa6Ce: (Botooc - - Juvederm - - InjectaSCes * We will match any advertised specials * Call today for an appointment! (404) 239-9800 Located in Sandy Springs across from Whole Foods 6065 Roswell Road, Suite 300, Atlanta, Georgia 30328 CIMA) IHi MAYO BLOCK PARTY MAY 5TII!! THE PARTY OF SANDY SPRINGS!! FESTIVITIES BEGIN AT 12:30 vF Jose Cuervo Girls Beer, Margarita & Shot Specials!! 404-459-0477 City Walk at Sandy Springs 227 Sandy Springs Place ss www.ReporterNewspapers.netl MAY3 — MAY16,2013 | 3
