More than 350 crashes in five years. That is the scale of the safety challenge along Mountain Industrial Boulevard near US 78. According to a November 2 report by WSB-TV, the corridor experienced 356 crashes, resulting in 121 injuries and one fatality. Traffic engineers estimate that planned improvements could reduce crashes by approximately 33%.
After nearly a decade of planning and coordination, those improvements are moving toward construction.
On October 13, the Tucker City Council approved agreements advancing a nearly $11 million safety improvement project at the US 78 interchange and along Mountain Industrial Boulevard. The action, also covered by Decaturish, represents a significant milestone for a project championed by the Tucker Summit Community Improvement District (CID).
The improvements will realign the eastbound and westbound ramps at US 78 to improve visibility and reduce conflicting traffic movements. A new concrete median between Greer Circle and Elmdale Drive will help eliminate dangerous left turns. The project also includes traffic signal upgrades, improved pedestrian accessibility, and modifications to Sarr Parkway.
The project is designed primarily to improve safety rather than increase road capacity. Some drivers will need to travel farther to make turns, but reducing the number of potential conflict points is expected to significantly lower the risk of crashes.
The work began long before the October vote. In 2016, the Tucker Summit CID commissioned a traffic engineering study to identify improvements along the corridor. Additional studies, engineering, funding commitments, and coordination followed. The project has advanced through a partnership involving the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, City of Tucker, and Tucker Summit CID.
GDOT is providing $7.5 million toward the interchange project, with additional state and local funding supporting the remaining costs. Tucker Summit CID has committed up to $1.19 million toward construction and inspection expenses.
The interchange improvements follow a separate $1.88 million GDOT resurfacing project that began October 8, covering approximately 2.8 miles of Mountain Industrial Boulevard between US 78 and the Gwinnett County line. Together, the resurfacing and interchange projects represent nearly $12.8 million in transportation investments, including previously completed design and right-of-way work.
Construction on the interchange safety improvements is anticipated to begin in spring 2027 and could take approximately two years to complete.
With more than 39,000 vehicles traveling Mountain Industrial Boulevard daily, these investments matter to businesses, employees, freight operators, and the surrounding community. They also demonstrate what community improvement districts can accomplish by bringing business and government together around shared priorities. Years of planning, persistence, and cooperation are now producing improvements that will benefit Tucker for decades to come.