Dunwoody is hitting the streets—literally. The city is set to roll out its much-anticipated 2024 Street Paving Plan, targeting 21 streets in need of a makeover. The project is funded to the tune of $2.15 million courtesy of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and beefed up with an additional $1.08 million from the Georgia Department of Transportation's Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG), as reported by the City of Dunwoody.
The paving proposal is more than just a surface-level change. Stemming from a citywide assessment conducted by wig-wearing a "Scan Van," this plan not only aims to improve the current state of affairs but is also laying ground; working towards hitting a milestone—a 20-year paving cycle promised by the city's founders back in 2008. Dunwoody isn't dragging its heels either. With 246 lane miles already smoothed over, this year's project puts them firmly at an 81 percent completion of their two-decade target.
Dunwoody Public Works Director Michael Smith outlined the technical trek to this point, saying, “We used a special vehicle known as the ‘Scan Van’ to develop our citywide assessment,” also noting the high-tech toolkit involved like "cameras, lasers, and other sensors" to gauge the roads. This method worked out a pavement condition index (PCI) for each roadway segment—giving city planners a clear path to prioritization.
It wasn't just an aimless joyride either. The data-driven ride around town reflected a significant bump up in road quality. According to Smith, Dunwoody's streets now boast an overall PCI rating of 75, a notable jump from past scores. Moreover, the percentage of pavement languishing in poor or worse condition has been steadily declining—from a peak of 36 percent in 2013 down to below 15 percent just last year. A healthy slice of the city's roads, over 65 percent, make the cut as satisfactory or good, with another 20 percent falling into the fair category.
For locals keen on which streets are getting the treatment, the list includes traffic hubs and residential retreats alike—from Ashford Dunwoody Road at the South end to Village North Road. The city's also spreading the asphalt love to the parking lot of the Dunwoody Cultural Arts Center and Library. Full details and progress reports are a click away on the city's website for those marking their calendars or mapping their detours.
