LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) - Leaders in Leesburg say the city is at a turning point with transportation now taking center stage in its long-term growth plan.

The biggest questions are how and when? The answers aren’t simple, but the goal is clear, to prepare Leesburg for steady growth through 2045.

The concern now is what happens if that growth comes before the plan is fully in place?

Charles Fairbrother, Leesburg Resident said, “Nothing is more aggravating, I think anybody would agree, when you go into a town and get stimmed in traffic and you’re waiting, always looking for a way around. With the arteries we already have and the proper planning, we’re able to shift that traffic into those areas that way where it makes it conducive for everyone.”

The Foresite Group is an engineering, planning, and design firm. They showed how the city could tackle traffic with digital modeling.

Those models display vehicle counts in key areas and predicts where congestion could build over the next 10 to 20 years.

Fairbrother said, “The growth is coming and we need to be an interregnal part of this area. The community needs the growth through Albany, Dougherty County, Lee County, Sumter, as well as Terrell. And we would like to be that leader.”

Using data and analysis, Foresite Group identified problem areas and proposed upgrades like roundabouts, road widening, and new connectors based on feedback from the community.

Bob Alexander, Leesburg City Manager said, “I think the feedback has been real positive. Because we’ve had probably the largest crowds…95 percent of the people are in favor of what we are trying to accomplish.”

Alexander says the city’s focus is shifting from infrastructure to community development, revitalizing downtown buildings and creating spaces that attract younger residents.

“We’ve got a couple of developments…have young-type development for young folks to be in. Which I think is going to be really good for our community,“ he said. ”But we have to have an overall plan to have something to work towards.”

The next step is turning the plan from paper to action. Engineers will now detail how implementation will work before city leaders share the full vision with the public in the coming months.

The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19 at the Leesburg Train Depot at 5:30 PM.

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