Transportation Projects

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The City of Canton Engineering Department is responsible for roadway construction projects within the City of Canton right of way. Projects managed include intersection improvements, streetscapes, sidewalks, and trails, new traffic signals, bridges and culverts, and other transportation improvements. Projects are funded through Cherokee County SPLOST, State and Federal Aid, miscellaneous grants, and through the City General Funds.

Our Transportation Project Page provides information on projects that are currently in design, under construction or recently completed. Please click on a project below for more information.

Ongoing Projects

Hwy 140 @ BU 5 (Marietta Hwy/Riverstone Pkwy)

The project goal is to improve the operation of the intersection by increasing left turn queue capacity for southbound SR 140 traffic and to improve the sub-standard intersection skew of Shoal Creek Road with SR 140. A secondary goal is a reduction in the severity and frequency of crashes due to the raised concrete median and the relocation of Shoal Creek Road to a ninety-degree skewed intersection across from Mary Lane. There are 195 crashes total in the project study area during the queried time period (July 2017 – June 2022). After a review of the crash reports, the majority of crashes along the corridor are rear ends related to congestion and vehicles waiting to turn onto side streets. All of the severe and most of the moderate injury crashes in the project area are angle crashes, which are related to a failure to yield at SR 5 BU and the side streets, and limited sight distance at Shoal Creek Road. The project aims to address crashes in four ways: limiting access to right-in right out on side streets, reducing congestion, adding turn lanes, and improving intersection skew at Shoal Creek Road.

Current Status: In Design

Schedule: Construction to begin mid 2026

Funding Sources: 80% Federal – 20% City (Impact Fees, SPLOST)

Concept Layout

Concept Report

Hwy 140 @ CONN 5 (Reinhardt College Pkwy)

The intersection of SR 140 (Waleska Road) and SR 5 Conn (Reinhardt College Parkway) experiences traffic congestion. The current overall intersection LOS is C in the PM, however queueing and traffic at this intersection exceeds storage space and backs up over 500 feet. Adding to the congestion is traffic from westbound SR 5 Conn heading northbound and a side road with a gas station that currently has no left turn lane for it so any left turning vehicles back up the northbound traffic. SR 140 from Marietta Highway north to the city limits was identified in the 2019 SR 140 Corridor Planning Study (initiated by Cherokee County) as requiring operational improvements and including multimodal facilities. The project is located within the city limits of Canton in Cherokee County, PI 0017982 proposes replacing the existing T-intersection with a multilane roundabout. Traffic is to remain on existing and/or temporary alignments during construction of the multilane roundabout. The proposed reconstruction will have two 11-foot through lanes at the intersection of SR 140 and Reinhardt College Parkway and 11-foot turn lanes the entrances to both Mill Street and The Landings of Canton Hills. The length of this project is approximately 0.4 mile.

Current Status: In Design

Schedule: Construction to begin late 2026

Funding Sources: 80% Federal – 20% City (Impact Fees, SPLOST)

Concept Layout

Concept Report

Reservoir Road @ Reinhardt College Parkway Signal Improvements

In 2021, the City conducted a Traffic Study at the intersection of Reservoir Road at Reinhardt College Parkway (SR 5 CONN). The traffic study evaluated the intersection for improvements that are intended to increase safety performance by minimizing or eliminating risk to roadway users. The study found that due to existing traffic volumes and planned developments in the area, the placement of a traffic signal would improve both safety and operations. In addition to a signal, a southbound left turn lane will be provided, the eastbound single left-turn lane will be converted to a dual left turn, and the eastbound through lane will be converted to a shared through/right-turn lane.

Current Status: Permitting with GDOT

Schedule: Construction to begin Early 2024

Funding Sources: Impact Fees, SPLOST, Developer Contributions

Traffic Study

Concept Layout - Sketch

Riverstone Parkway Pedestrian Crossing

Due to ongoing concerns for pedestrian mobility and safety, the City of Canton conducted a Pedestrian Crossing Treatment Study along Riverstone Parkway (SR 5 BU), between Waleska Road/Waleska Street (SR 140) and Hospital Drive. The study recommended that a permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation be issued for the installation of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB). A PHB at this location is expected to improve and encourage pedestrian mobility along Riverstone Parkway by connecting the residential land uses to the north, east, and west of the identified corridor to the RiverPlace Shopping Center, G. Cecil Pruitt Community Center and Heritage Park, while at the same time providing for an additional safe crossing along the same facility.

Current Status: Permitting with GDOT

Schedule: Construction to begin Spring 2024

Funding Sources: SPLOST, Developer Contributions

Pedestrian Crossing Treatment Study

Downtown to the Mill Pedestrian Improvements (W. Main Street)

W. Main Street is a heavily trafficked pedestrian corridor to/from downtown Canton to the shops and restaurants at the Mill on Etowah. The City of Canton identified this corridor as a connection point and a key location for providing pedestrian-friendly access from shops and restaurants downtown to the expanding Mill on Etowah. This project will include a road diet including westbound traffic and angled parking. A 10-foot sidewalk adjacent to the parking. Landscaping, lighting and benches will also be provided. In addition to the pedestrian improvements, overhead utilities will be relocated to underground.

Current Status: In Design – Utility Permitting

Schedule: Construction to begin Mid 2024

Funding Sources: SPLOST, TAD

Concept Layout Rendering

Downtown Master Plan

The city-wide Canton Transportation Plan (2022) builds upon the Canton Tenets, which are considered the guiding principles for the city’s future, to provide short- and long-term recommendations for transportation. Looking at various ways to enhance and support continued growth in the city, the plan recommended preliminary concepts for the downtown Canton area.

“Downtown reconfiguration to adjust travel direction, patterns, and parking. Provide additional pedestrian accommodations such as sidewalks and plazas. Increase safety for all users at crossings. Support local businesses through loading and rideshare zones. Adjusting traffic controls to better meet vision and goals of Downtown Canton.”

This project will examine Downtown Canton by the following:

Community-focused planning:
1. Public meeting events
2. Engagement booths at local events and festivals
3. Hosting public meetings at local businesses
4. All-day open house style charrette to draft recommendations
Data-driven process:
1. Collecting and analyzing traffic counts and turning movements
2. Analyzing pedestrian and bicycle travel patterns
3. Developing transportation/traffic scenarios to model up transportation configurations
Understanding the market:
1. Understand current and future market demand at a high level
2. Potential for infill and redevelopment
3. Areas to channel investments

Current Status: Study underway

Schedule: Adoption in Spring 2024

Funding Sources: DDA

Project Map

Learn About the Plan

Project Schedule

River Mill District Pedestrian Bridge

The City of Canton operates based upon a defined Roadmap for Success in which several of the goals support the scope of the bridge project. Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton, Connecting Citizens to Park and Recreation, and Sustaining our Natural Environment are the Roadmap goals the project will support. As part of the Canton Forward Livable Centers Initiative plan, created in collaboration with Atlanta Regional Commission in 2008, the City continues to align future development within the scope of the outlined future goals. One goal outlined in the Urban Redevelopment Plan 2014, included in the LCI masterplan, is to expand and enhance community facilities and infrastructure specific to pedestrian transportation. This project brings that vision to life and meets the Appalachian Regional Commissions investment priorities for Fiscal Year 2022 goals in Creating Resilient Communities and Enhancing Downtown Development.

The development and construction of the River Mill District Pedestrian Bridge at The Mill on Etowah would enhance the existing trail extension alongside the Etowah River. This section of the trail is located on the opposite bank of the Etowah River adjacent to the historic preservation project located on Railroad Street, The Mill on Etowah, also known as the historic Canton Cotton Mill. The current trail connects citizens to our park and recreation offerings within the City while the addition of the River Mill District Bridge would allow users of the trail system to access the downtown district as well. A secondary use is the addition of the put-in/take-out on the riverbank so boaters, kayakers, and other river enthusiasts can enjoy the Etowah River with a destination take-out at The Mill on Etowah. An additional enhancement the bridge connector offers is to improve the transportation network for the downtown area providing access by walking or biking to the area instead of driving. The adjacent neighborhoods to our downtown district are largely Hispanic residents which regularly walk the corridor in their daily commute with the connector opening up safer means of travel than on the roadways. As well, the bridge connector will provide greater access to the local high school. This offering supports the vision of creating options for alternate transportation which results in sustainability improvements and preservation of the natural environment.

Current Status: In Design

Schedule: Construction schedule to begin Early 2025

Funding Sources: SPLOST, Impact Fees, Appalachian Regional Commission Grant, TAD

Link to Concept Plan

Canton Creek Pedestrian Bridge and Sidewalk Improvement Project

The project will consist of all new 140-foot prefab pedestrian bridge and 250-foot of additional 8-foot wide sidewalk, as well as, a crosswalk with rapid beacon. The pedestrian bridge is needed because the current access across the Canton Creek Vehicular Bridge is unsafe and only 4-foot wide. The new pedestrian bridge will be ADA compliant, while the existing pedestrian access is not. The addition of sidewalk would be to access the existing sidewalk from the pedestrian bridge. A crosswalk with rapid beacon will be installed to help pedestrians safely cross the street. This location involves heavy pedestrian traffic, as well as heavy vehicular traffic particularly in the peak hours. This project has been award $2.2 million in grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget for the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities grant.

Current Status: Request for Proposals in development

Schedule: Design to begin early 2024

Funding Sources: Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget Grant for Improving Neighborhoods in Disproportionately Impacted Communities

Concept Plan