Dacula Hosts Transportation Referendum Information Session

If the Transportation Investment Initiative referendum passes on July 31, the proceeds from the 10-year, 1-percent sales tax will fund several projects that should benefit Dacula residents.

Commonly referred to as TSPLOST (transportation special purpose local option sales tax), the tax will provide funding for a specified list of projects. That list, , includes the following Dacula area projects:

• Bridge upgrade at Dacula Road and Winder Highway - $10 million
• Interchange at I-85 and Gravel Springs Road - $33.3 million
• Grade separation at Highway 316 and Harbins Road - $23 million
• Grade separation at Highway 316 and High Hope/Cedars Road - $61.9 million
• Grade separation at Highway 316 and Highway 29 - $51 million
• Sugarloaf Parkway extension from Highway 316 to Highway 20 in Buford - $296 million

In addition to those projects, the City of Dacula and Gwinnett County will also receive discretionary funding which will be allocated to local projects. If the referendum passes, . Gwinnett County, which is expected to receive a cut of $133.6 million, plans to use . The rest will be allocated to other county intersection, sidewalk and other projects.

On Thursday, city and county officials held two open house sessions at Dacula City Hall to answer questions from citizens regarding how TSPLOST proceeds would be spent and how the projects might benefit the Dacula area. 

Doug Mason, one of the citizens that attended the 2-4 p.m. session, said he was glad to have the opportunity to get his questions answered.

"I don't want to go on the 31st and ask, 'What am I voting for?' "

Do you feel you have enough information to make an informed decision about TSPLOST? Let us know in the comments.

More information about TSPLOST -- both pro and con -- is available on the following websites:

• T-SPLOST.com
• T-SPLOST – VOTE "NO" July 31, 2012 (tsplost.wordpress.com)
• TrafficTruth.net
• TransformMetroAtlanta.com

You might also be interested in reading: