Roads & Drainage Division
The Roads and Drainage Division of DeKalb County Public Works ensures safe, functional transportation and stormwater infrastructure throughout unincorporated DeKalb County. Our mission is "Ensuring DeKalb County's Safety" through comprehensive maintenance, repair, construction, and upgrades of:
- 2,280 miles of County roadways (8,272+ streets)
- Bridges and traffic control devices
- Stormwater drainage systems
- Dams, Detention ponds and water quality facilities
Leadership
Director Peggy Vonsherie Allen
Peggy Allen has worked in federal, state and local government for more than 40 years, holding various public works, engineering, and management positions. Her areas of expertise are in civil, transportation, construction, traffic engineering and storm water management. During her career she designed and implemented three bus rapid transit traffic signal priority control projects, one of which included the construction of ‘queue jumper’ lanes, the first project of its kind in the region. The project received the ‘Outside the Box’ award from I.T.S., the Intelligent Transportation Society for project innovation.
Her professional engineering experience includes work with the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Georgia Department of Transportation. She has been with Dekalb County (Georgia) Government for more than thirty-five years, and currently serves as the Deputy Director, of Public Works. She is a member of several professional organizations, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, The Intelligent Transportation Society, The American Public Works Association, and The American Society of Civil Engineers. Allen is very active in her community, mentoring young students, and young engineering professionals seeking to improve their knowledge and skills. In 2019 she served as engineering advisor to a Cobb County 5th Grade Invention Team, where the team was awarded 2nd place at the National Invention competition for their handicapped parking enforcement invention. In 2020 She received the APWA Top Ten Manager of The Year Award, a National honor. She is a certified instructor for Customer Service, and with The University of Alabama, Lifelong Learning Center.
She has authored a number of Technical Papers and Articles which have been published in national and international Professional Engineering Magazines. As well as the Transportation Research Board, (TRB), a major U.S. organization providing research-based solutions for transportation. She authored a Traffic Signal Preventive Maintenance Manual which has been copied by municipalities across the country. Ms. Allen is also the author of the DeKalb County Traffic Calming Manual, which has been used at The Georgia Institute of Technology as part of their engineering continuing education program and continues to be used in DeKalb County. She is the author of two books, her latest book The Pecan Orchard; Journey of a Sharecroppers’ Daughter, can be found in bookstores and libraries world-wide, and has been adopted as a textbook for Women’s History and African American History courses.
Ms. Allen earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Alabama. She has taken engineering refresher courses from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has also completed nine courses from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute in the National Incident Management System, (NIMS), and she continues to take continuing education courses in her field.
Mission & Vision
Ensuring DeKalb County’ Safety by providing effective operation and management of the county's infrastructure to protect public health, safety and general welfare.
Manage Stormwater Utility and other programs - including resurfacing of 25 miles of county roads under Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) with Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant, and to resurface an additional 75 miles under the SPLOST program annually.
One DeKalb. One Mission. One Future.
Our Responsibilities
- Roadway Operations: Emergency response, winter weather clearing, pothole repair, and asphalt maintenance
- Stormwater Management: Operating the county's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
- Infrastructure Maintenance: Bridge repairs, traffic control devices, and drainage structures
- Construction Projects: New sidewalks, roads, and stormwater facilities
Priority Response System
During emergencies and winter weather:
- First Priority: Major arterial and collector roads
- Second Priority: Secondary roads
- Third Priority: Local roads
Contact Information
Main Office
Hours of Operations
Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 4:30 PM, emergency response 24/7
Deputy Directors
Assistant Director, Desmore Joseph
Department Contact Info
R&D Customer Service - 404-297-3840
Emergency Contacts
Environmental Emergencies: 404-294-2007
Watershed Emergency (24/7): 770-270-6243
General Emergency: 9-1-1
Floodplain Management
Phone: 404-297-2567 or 404-297-4518
Email: FloodplainManagement@dekalbcountyga.gov
Stormwater Utility
Phone: 404-297-4464
Email: swoutreach@dekalbcountyga.gov
Environmental Concerns
Phone: 404-294-2007
Storm Drain Marking Program
Contact: swoutreach@dekalbcountyga.gov
Phone: 404-297-2567
Frequently Asked Questions
Stormwater & Drainage
Q. Who maintains drainage easements on my property?
A. Property owners are responsible for maintaining drainage easements and creeks on their property, similar to maintaining the yard area within road right-of-way.
Q. How do I get help with drainage problems on my property?
A. Apply for the Citizens Drainage Program by calling 404-297-3840. We provide free materials (up to $2,500 value), but installation is your responsibility.
Q. What should I do if I see illegal dumping in storm drains?
A. Call the Environmental Comments Line immediately at 404-294-2007. Only rainwater should enter storm drains..
Roads & Maintenance
Q. How are road repairs prioritized?
A. We use a color-coded system: Red (emergency - 30 days), Blue (high priority - 60-90 days), Green (routine - 90+ days).
Q. Who do I call about potholes?
A. Report potholes to our customer service at 404-297-3840 or submit an online service request.
Flood Insurance & Protection
Q. Do I need flood insurance?
A. Flood damage isn't covered by homeowner's insurance. Contact a licensed agent even if you're not in a high-risk area, as flooding can occur anywhere.
Q. How do I find my flood zone?
A. Use our interactive flood map or visit Georgia DFIRM
Q. What is the 30-day waiting period?
A. Most flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so don't wait for a storm forecast.