Transportation Improvement Project for Downtown Approved

The Kennesaw City Council has given an engineering firm the green light to examine altering several intersections in downtown in advance of new developments being built in the area.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, Croy Engineering will begin planning the ideal alignment of Lewis and Dallas streets, removing the sharp turn of the west side of Lewis Street as it meets Dallas Street. The plans call for re-aligning the west side of Lewis Street so that it meets Dallas Street at a right angle, the MDJ said.

Additionally, the council approved the construction of roundabouts at Watts Drive and Dallas Street and the intersections of Big Shanty and Shirley drives and J O Stephenson Avenue. The total cost of the projects will be $2.6 million, which is coming out of city SPLOST funds.

The council approved the plans during its Feb. 16 meeting, City of Kennesaw documents show.

The changes to Lewis and Dallas streets will be made alongside The Halter Companies’ $20 million project to build 167 apartments in 24 buildings on 7.5 acres of land on Dallas Street between North Main Street and Watts Drive. Construction on the mixed-use project could begin during the spring and the apartments could be ready by next year, the Kennesaw’s zoning director told the MDJ.