THOMASVILLE — Thomasville City Council is eyeing state help to accelerate the South Martin Luther King Drive transportation project.

At a Monday meeting, council is scheduled to consider a $360,000 Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) request from the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). GTIB is a grant and low-interest loan program administered by SRTA.

The city has budgeted $640,000 in special purpose local option sales tax revenue for the project. To add curb and gutter wanted by residents on both sides of the street, along with sidewalks, will bring costs close to $910,000, said Wayne Newsome, interim city engineer.

“I think we stand as good a shot as other communities to receiving these funds,” Newsome said.

Information provided by the city shows GTIB invests in projects that:

• Improve economic development and mobility

• Demonstrate a high degree of local commitment

• Include innovative transportation solutions

• Are near or under construction

• Demonstrate a high degree of feasibility

Information provided by Newsome to council says the MLK project meets the descriptions and is an ideal candidate for the state funding.

Also, the information says, the MLK project will improve local mobility and improve connectivity to other major transportation networks, such as South Pinetree Boulevard and West Jackson Street.    

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820