About Fayette County news. (Fayetteville, GA) 2009-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2023)
Wednesday, March 15,2023 Fayette County News A3 Learnard, Curnow Meet with GDOT to Discuss Highway 54/74 Leah Banks Investigative Reporter leah@fayette-news.net PEACHTREE CITY - Since 2021, traffic flow be tween Peachtree City, Fay etteville, Tyrone, and Coweta County through the intersection of Highways 54 and 74 has been a hot topic due to the high vol umes and congestion. A few weeks ago, Peach tree City Mayor Kim Lear nard, along with the PTC City Manager Robert Cur now, met with the Georgia Department of Transporta tion to further discuss plans surrounding traffic congestion. “I was excited to intro duce them to our new city manager, and we had a three-hour meeting that was positive, productive, detailed, and informative,” Learnard said. “And what we learned were the details about the upcoming dis placed left turn configura tion project that GDOT is bringing to Peachtree City.” Learnard aired details of the project and how it will adjust and accommo date for the traffic flow in and out of the city. “What this will involve is a change in the lane [on Highway 74] northbound and southbound and an overall reduction in traffic light phases, from eight to four, and an improvement in efficiency and safety throughout the entire in tersection,” Learnard ex plained. GDOT is currently com pleting right-of-way acqui sition, according to Learnard, which is the act of acquiring land, or an easement, to complete the overall project. This can in clude providing additional information for the project, including other parties who may be impacted by the changes, and visual depic tions of the changes once they have agreed upon spe cific shapes and signs for the displaced left turn con figuration. “Once they do that in the next few weeks, they will begin relocation of util ities, and once that’s com plete, they can go out to bid and award the contract, and they anticipate doing that by the end of 2023,” Learnard said. After awarding the con tract, Learnard predicts that construction for the turn will begin in 2024. “This is the first step in a series of necessary steps, and we are moving for ward,” Learnard said, “I think it is important to let our citizens know that all of this information is on our Peachtree City website.” Learnard also encour ages citizens to contact her or the city manager to meet and discuss any of the gov ernment plans moving for ward. “I don’t think I have ever turned down an offer from a citizen to meet for coffee to discuss anything that’s on their minds, and I welcome those opportuni ties,” Learnard said. Moody's Upgrades Peachtree City's Bond Rating to AAA PEACHTREE CITY - Peachtree City recently secured the highest rating from one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies. On Monday, March 6, Moody’s Investment Service announced that it has upgraded Peachtree City’s issuer rating to AAA from AAl. Moody’s also upgraded the general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) rating on the city's outstanding storm water and sewer system bonds to AAA from AAl. “The upgrade of the issuer rating to AAA re flects the city's growing economy, strong financial position, and declining leverage,” Moody’s offi cials stated. “Fund bal ance and cash reserves have grown steadily over the last four fiscal years, bolstered by special pur pose local option sales tax (SPLOST) revenues. The trend of improving oper ating performance is likely to continue through fiscal 2023, supported by strong property and sales tax collections.” PTC Mayor Kim Lear nard says securing the highest possible rating is a testament to the fiscal responsibility practiced in Peachtree City. “We are incredibly grateful to our financial services director, Paul Salvatore, and his entire team for their hard work managing the city’s money,” commented Learnard. The AAA rating from Moody’s represents an independent evaluation of Peachtree City’s finan cial strength and ability to repay a bond’s princi pal and interest. Being similar to having a good credit score, an AAA rat ing allows Peachtree City to issue bonds at rel atively lower interest rates. Peachtree City pre viously received a AAA credit rating from Stan dard & Poor’s Global Rat ings in 2008. S&P Global renewed the high rating in 2011, even as the Fay ette County municipality battled effects of the 2008 recession. To read the entire analysis from Moody’s Investment Service, visit https://www.moodys.co m/research/Moodys-up- grades-Peachtree-City- GAs-issuer-and-GO-ratin gs-to—PR_9o8o38i63. Located 22 miles south of Hartsfield-Jack- son Atlanta International Airport, Peachtree City is Fayette County’s largest city. The planned com munity, chartered in 1959, boasts more than too miles of multi-use paths that allow more than 34,000 residents to navigate the town using golf carts instead of cars. Dementia Caregiver Workshop scheduled March 28 at FSS FAYETTEVILLE Caring for someone liv ing with dementia can be challenging, and at times overwhelming. On Tuesday, March 28, social workers from Sixty Plus Services and Fayette Senior Services will lead a comprehen sive workshop for care givers. Participants will learn about the types and stages of dementia, helpful resources, and how to take care of one self. The team of profes sional social workers with Sixty Plus Services at Piedmont Healthcare have been assisting fam ilies affected by demen tia since 1987. The workshop will take place at Fayette Senior Services, located at 4 Center Drive in Fay etteville, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost for the workshop is $15 and in cludes a light lunch. To register, call 770-461- 0813 or register in per son at either location of Fayette Senior Services. TRUFFLES VEIN Find relief from: | • Varicose Veins • Spider Veins • Leg Swelling • Tired, Achy Legs • Heaviness or Fatigue • Restless Legs at Night • Itching, burning legs • Leg ulcers 90% of treatments covered by insurance! 874 W Lanier Ave PECIALISTS 678-833-1444 .^F-ayetteville^GA 30214 trufflesveinspecialists.com Courtesy of PTC and GDOT Rendering of plans for intersection of Highways 54 and 74 in Peachtree City. Good Shepherd RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM VOTE YES! SPL@ST 2023 FAYETTE CAN SPECIAL ELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 21 Ways We Benefit From E-Splost Funds: • Reduce traffic congestion • Repair and replace aging roads • Provide new and updated recreation amenities • Enhance public safety resources • Enhance connectivity of multi-use paths PAID FOR BY FAYETTE CIVIC ACTION NETWORK The E-SPLOST is up for renewal again vote early now until March 17th. Election Day, March 21,2023. www.fayettecan.org
