U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is scheduled to make an appearance in District 1 on Friday, Aug. 6, to pitch the Safe Streets for All program.
Secretary Buttigieg will tour the Buford Highway corridor, located in District 1 of DeKalb County at 1 p.m. He will be joined by U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath and local officials to view the New Peachtree Road Livable Centers Initiative Project. The project consists of construction of new pedestrian facilities by implementing a road diet along New Peachtree Road. The project will also include new asphalt resurfacing as well as landscape buffers and beautification features. Following the tour, a press conference will be held at the Doraville MARTA station.
As part of President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Plan, Georgia could receive an estimated $9.1 billion to improve road safety for all users. This includes the new Safe Streets for All program which will fund state and local “vision zero” plans and other improvements to reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians.
One of Commissioner Robert Patrick’s priorities for District 1 is investing in infrastructure. As the county grapples with aging water, sewer, and road infrastructure, he is appreciative of the awareness Secretary Buttigieg will bring to much needed road improvements for his district and DeKalb County in general.
“Sidewalks and roads are vital components to connecting neighbors and neighborhoods to school, work, and retail. It’s important that we invest in local infrastructure to ensure that residents are able to safely move about their communities,” Commissioner Patrick said.
U.S. senators are currently negotiating the final details of the infrastructure package. If successful, lawmakers anticipate a vote on final passage of the bill this weekend or early next week.
###
Media Note: For more information, please contact Tara Smith, 470-225-0938.