Commission Approves Sugarloaf Mills Park and Ride Improvements, New Buses

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Public transportation was on the Gwinnett County Commission's mind on Tuesday.

The board approved money to fix up the Park and Ride lot at Sugarloaf Mills, buy five new diesel buses and replace some older transit vehicles.

The new, 40-foot, clean-burning diesel buses are part of Gwinnett Transit plans to expand local bus service. The county's share of the $2.3 million purchase was $461,641. Federal funds covered the rest.

The board agreed to spend $60,000 on the Park and Ride area at Sugarloaf Mills. State and federal funds cover the rest of the $1.6 million upgrade.

The project will redesign the existing express bus passenger loading lane to accommodate a new bus lane and a small fare building. New turn lanes, a new traffic signal and sidewalks also will be added as part of the project.

The county also will be replacing seven smaller paratransit vehicles at a cost of $533,351. Again, federal transit funds will cover the majority of the purchase, with the county only being on the hook for about $106,000.