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Dunwoody has proceeded with plans for major infrastructural improvement – just over a year since its incorporation. An application sent to the Georgia Department of Transportation has requested funding and permission for a road repaving project.

More than 28 roads have been earmarked for the upgrade, which is expected to last several months. According to Michael Smith of the city’s planning department, $150,000 has already been allocated from Dunwoody’s 2010 budget, which was approved last month.

An additional $65,000 is expected to come from the state’s Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) fund, and is far short of the $500,000 requested. However, Smith said the combined funding should finance most of the project, which would start in the spring at the earliest.   

“We haven’t developed a final list [of roads] yet, but we’re looking at between 28 to 30,” Smith said.

Dunwoody began surveying its asphalt months ago with a laser truck driving over every city street, finding ones in the worst condition.

When the DeKalb County city was incorporated, many Dunwoody residents complained that little was being done to improve its neglected infrastructure.

This year, following cityhood status, road resurfacing became one of the first approved projects by the new city council following the establishment of its governmental apparatus. “Things like this are why we wanted to become a city in the first place,” said Spence Stevenson, a resident who was critical of DeKalb County’s governance. “Having control over decisions can make a huge difference to our quality of life.”

At time of writing, the state had not given its required approval. Nevertheless, officials are confidant of the green light soon, as well as LARP funds. LARP is financed through gasoline tax revenue collected by the state and redistributed to local governments. Smith said that repaving work cannot start until spring because of weather conditions.