New Express Lanes in Georgia Could Cost Fulton Schools

New Express Lanes in Georgia Could Cost Fulton Schools' Taxpayers $10 Million for Safety

Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney said the express lanes will increase noise and make schools more susceptible to a shooting. He is estimating that if the plans progress, it will cost taxpayers as much as $10 million to keep students safe.

  • By Sherelle Black
  • September 04, 2019

In an effort to help the commute of thousands in Fulton County, officials are planning to add 16 miles of tolled express lanes on Ga. 400.

However, the express lanes will be close to two schools, which, according to Fulton County Schools’ Superintendent Mike Looney, will cost taxpayers as much as $10 million to keep students safe.

Looney told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that under some proposals the lanes would be less than 20 feet from school facilities.

In an Aug. 26 letter to Georgia Department of Transportation officials, Looney said the lanes leave the district with “very expensive steps that would need to take place in order to ensure a safe school environment.”

Looney also said in the letter he hopes state leaders will adjust the plan, and in the end, there is no good outcome to the situation.

“Students, their families and the neighboring community will end up being a ‘loser’ any way this progresses,” he said.

Looney told AJC he is concerned that shortening the distance between the road and the schools will increase noise and make the schools more susceptible to a shooting.

Tim Matthews, who is managing the project for GDOT, told the AJC that GDOT would never do anything to put children at risk.

Since the expansion of Ga. 400 is a state project, the school district cannot make final decisions; it can only provide feedback and suggestions.

About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers