Understanding scale is essential to understanding various roles of different transportation providers. Suwanee is a small part of a much larger regional network. Thousands of vehicles move from, to, and through our 10-square-mile footprint every day. Because of this, Suwanee partners closely with Gwinnett County and the Georgia Department of Transportation to meet regional transportation needs.

Gwinnett County and the Georgia Department of Transportation build and maintain major roads while the city focuses on improving and maintaining local roads and providing alternative transportation options, such as sidewalks and greenways for pedestrians and cyclists. Suwanee supports, lobbies, and advocates for regional capacity-building projects where appropriate, however the city’s transportation construction e­fforts primarily focus on local mobility.

While traffic congestion is a real concern for residents, it is largely driven by regional travel patterns and is best addressed through coordinated e­fforts with Gwinnett County and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

LOCAL FOCUS: CONNECTING DAILY LIFE

The city’s role is not to create large, multi-lane highways crisscrossing the city. Those types of roadways predominately serve regional travelers. Instead, most of Suwanee’s transportation efforts are aimed at connecting local places residents use every day (jobs, schools, homes, parks, services, and businesses). To do this, the city emphasizes:

• CONNECTIVITY: Linking neighborhoods, destinations, and parks
• SAFETY: Calming traffic and creating safer conditions for all modes
• MAINTENANCE: Taking care of the local street network residents use most
• TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS: Expanding pedestrian and bicycle access

Slower vehicle speeds, targeted traffic-calming, and expanded walking and cycling options are intentional strategies to make short local trips easier and safer.

One recent city project that exemplifies the city’s transportation approach is the reconstruction of Buford Highway. Working with state partners, the city took the lead in reconstructing the roadway in a “Complete Street” manner. Instead of a 4-lane high-speed roadway prioritizing regional travelers and further dividing the city, the chosen 2-lane approach focuses on the needs of local residents. The design maintains road capacity while simultaneously slowing speeds, improving safety, enhancing walkability, and supporting land uses that contribute to the city’s broader community goals.

By contrast, a recent project that illustrates the County and State’s transportation role is the McGinnis Ferry Road half-diamond interchange at I-85. This $32 million project focuses almost entirely on expanding vehicular capacity and serving regional purposes.

PLANNING

The City regularly undertakes transportation studies and planning eff­orts, with public input to identify transportation issues, solutions, and potential projects. Past studies have included:

­2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: See pages 56-66 for discussion of transportation, 2019

­2015 DOWNTOWN SUWANEE MASTER PLAN

2010 BUFORD HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION STUDY

2024 GWINNETT COUNTY’S 2050 COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

2023 GWINNETT COUNTY TRANSIT PLAN

PAST CITY PROJECTS:

BETTER BUFORD HIGHWAY: Buford Highway Reconstruction and Roundabout

EVA KENNEDY ROAD AND SETTLES BRIDGE ROAD TRAFFIC CALMING AND SIDEWALKS

SUWANEE CREEK GREENWAY

PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL BELOW THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD

Some examples of planned future projects include: local traffic calming improvements, additional individual sidewalk connections, and the Suwanee LOOP multi-use trail/pedestrian bridge over Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

85 STUDY

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Gwinnett County are partnering on a comprehensive corridor study along I-85 between I-285 and I-985. The study area spans approximately 18 miles and is primarily located within Gwinnett County, with a small portion in DeKalb County. The study focuses on identifying solutions to reduce congestion, enhance traffic operations, and improve safety along this heavily traveled corridor. Through collaboration with stakeholders and the public, a wide range of potential alternatives have been identified and analyzed. Draft recommendations have been developed and are available for public review and comment.

Plan Information Found Here