Austell Powder Springs Trail Scoping Study (X2543)
The Austell-Powder Springs Road Trail is one of eight trails identified by the public for prioritization in the 2018 Greenways & Trails Master Plan.
Kicked off in the Spring of 2022, the Austell-Powder Springs Trail Scoping Study will examine the possibility of a trail that will connect two Cobb County cities-Powder Springs and Austell-from the existing trailhead on Silver Comet Linear Park in Powder Springs to Joe Jerkins Boulevard in downtown Austell, generally along Austell-Powder Springs Road. The trail will also join two cities to Cobb County's trail network, meaning that all seven cities will connect with each other by the multi-use trail system. This study aims to evaluate various options for closing this critical gap in the regional trail network between the Silver Comet Trail, Powder Springs, and Austell.
Join Cobb County on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 for a public meeting to learn more about the Austell-Powder Springs Trail Scoping Study. A brief presentation will take place around 6:00 p.m. followed by an open house that will take place until 8:30 p.m. where attendees can review and provide feedback on potential conceptual trail alignment alternatives that may be considered.
Where: Threadmill Complex – City of Austell Courtroom
5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd, Austell, GA 30106
The study is expected to conclude in the summer of 2023.
Questions
Please contact the County’s Project Manager at Laura.Beall@cobbcounty.org or the Consultant Team Project Manager at Patrick Peters at ppeters@heath-lineback.com for any questions or comments you may have regarding the study.
Study Documents
Stakeholder Steering Committee Presentation #1 (7/20/22)
APS Public Meeting Presentation #1 (8/18/22)
APS Trail Public Meeting Display Boards (3/28/23)
APS Trail Public Meeting Presentation #2 (3/28/23)
Study Process
The study will:
- Gain an understanding of the existing and future conditions in the study area
- Assess the environmental and cultural resources
- Develop feasible alignment and concept design alternatives
- Evaluate alternatives and recommend a preferred alternative based on public input and guiding principles
- Engage stakeholders, including residents, trail users, community groups, and local institutions, to gain an understanding of how people use the existing trail and nearby public spaces, and to get ideas for the extension of the trail
Guiding Principles
Study recommendations will be guided by the following criteria and considerations:
- Consistency with the vision and goals of the County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Greenways & Trails Master Plan, and the Atlanta Region’s Plan
- Support and input from the public and stakeholders
- Safety, connectivity, and efficiency throughout the trail
- Existing and future needs of pedestrian and bicycle users
- Future funding eligibility of all project phases
Regional Trail Connectivity
The proposed trail connects downtown Austell to Powder Springs and the Silver Comet Trail, and via the Silver Comet trail to the trail network that connects to the five other Cobb County cities.
This connection will allow travel from downtown Austell east to the Cumberland area via connection to the Silver Comet Trail, and eventually across the Chattahoochee River to the Atlanta BeltLine, with completion of the Silver Comet to BeltLine Connector. It will allow travel west on the Silver Comet Trail to the Georgia-Alabama border.
Funding
The Austell-Powder Springs Road Trail Scoping Study (X2543) is funded by a grant provided by the Atlanta Regional Commission with local matching funds provided by Cobb County Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
Currently, no funding has been identified for the implementation of this trail segment. Part of this study will examine potential sources of funding, which may include SPLOST, grants, and other sources.
Noonday Creek Trail Extension Scoping Study (X2544)
Noonday Creek Trail is one of eight trails identified by the public for prioritization in the 2018 Greenways & Trails Master Plan.
Kicked off in the Spring of 2022, the Noonday Creek Trail Extension Scoping Study will examine the possibility of extending the Noonday Creek Trail from the Bells Ferry Trailhead northward to Noonday Creek Park. This study aims to evaluate various options for closing this critical gap in the regional trail network between Bells Ferry Road and Shallowford Road.
The study is expected to conclude in summer 2023.
Public Meeting Materials - August 9, 2023
Questions
Please contact the County’s Project Manager at Laura.Beall@cobbcounty.org or the Consultant Team Project Manager at erin.thoresen@greshamsmith.com for any questions or comments you may have regarding the study.
Study Documents
Stakeholder Steering Committee Meeting #1 (7/14/22)
Noonday Creek Public Meeting Presentation #1
Existing Conditions Report Appendices
Noonday Creek Trail Study Segment Maps (From March 7 Open House)
Noonday Creek Trail Study Display Boards (From March 7 Open House)
Noonday Creek Trail Study Typical Sections (From March 7 Open House)
Study Process
The study will:
- Gain an understanding of the existing and future conditions in the study area
- Assess the environmental and cultural resources
- Develop feasible alignment and concept design alternatives
- Evaluate alternatives and recommend a preferred alternative based on public input and guiding principles
- Engage stakeholders, including residents, trail users, community groups, and local institutions, to gain an understanding of how people use the existing trail and nearby public spaces, and to get ideas for the extension of the trail
Guiding Principles
Study recommendations will be guided by the following criteria and considerations:
- Consistency with the vision and goals of the County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Greenways & Trails Master Plan, and the Atlanta Region’s Plan
- Support and input from the public and stakeholders
- Safety, connectivity, and efficiency throughout the trail
- Existing and future needs of pedestrian and bicycle users
- Future funding eligibility of all project phases
Regional Trail Connectivity
The proposed trail connects the existing Noonday Creek Trail in Cobb County with the segment of Noonday Creek Trail currently in development that runs from downtown Woodstock in Cherokee County to Shallowford Road in Cobb County. Construction of the Woodstock-to-Shallowford segment is expected in early 2023.
This connection will allow travel from downtown Woodstock to Kennesaw Mountain, through Marietta to the Silver Comet Trail and the Cumberland area, and eventually across the Chattahoochee River to the Atlanta BeltLine, creating a trail of regional significance.
Funding
The Noonday Creek Trail Extension Scoping Study (X2544) is funded by a grant provided by the Atlanta Regional Commission with local matching funds provided by Cobb County Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
Currently, no funding has been identified for the implementation of this trail segment. Part of this study will examine potential sources of funding, which may include SPLOST, grants, and other sources.
Countywide Trail Network
This map shows the trails and trail connections planned throughout the county.
This map includes existing trail as well as trails that are in design or under construction.
Greenways and Trails Master Plan
Final Draft: