Council approves resolution to support GTIB loan application for Marietta Road realignment and Hickory Flat improvements

Canton City Council voted Jan. 2 to approve a resolution supporting preparation, submission and a funding commitment for a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) loan application for the Marietta Road Realignment and Hickory Flat Highway Improvement Project.

City staff described the project as concept‑phase work that includes the Marietta Road realignment, a new roundabout at Hickory Flat Highway and a new vehicular bridge over Canton Creek. The resolution authorizes staff to submit a loan application for $5,000,000; staff said the GTIB program would not fully fund the project but would help spread Tax Allocation District (TAD) dollars over a longer repayment period. "This loan application would allow us to do a repayment of up to 20 years," staff said.

Councilmember Roach moved the motion to approve the resolution and members voted in favor; the chair called for the ayes and the motion passed with all members voting to approve. Staff noted an existing grant supports a pedestrian bridge portion of the overall corridor work; the GTIB loan would fund broader roadway and roundabout improvements. The applicant/staff said the interest rate is "less than 5%" and believed to be in the low‑2% range but that exact terms would be confirmed through the GTIB application process.

Next steps: staff will submit the GTIB loan application by the Jan. 14 deadline and continue design and funding coordination for the realignment, bridge and roundabout components.