(Lawrenceville, Ga., Dec. 16, 2010) - Gwinnett officials held a ribbon cutting to open section two of the first phase of Sugarloaf Parkway extension to traffic on Dec. 14. The roadway extends Sugarloaf Parkway from New Hope Road to a new interchange at Martins Chapel Road. The project also includes nearly a mile of upgrades to existing roadways surrounding the extension.

The $24.8-million project features a four-lane divided, limited-access roadway with 26,000 tons of asphalt and 56,000 tons of rock base placed, and 3,500 feet of storm drain pipe and 11,700 feet of guardrail installed. The bridge over Hiram Davis Road allows local traffic access over Sugarloaf Parkway.

"This roadway will provide an additional route alternative between south Lawrenceville, Grayson and the Dacula area, and we're excited this project was completed eight months ahead of schedule," said District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau. "We are grateful for the funding that came mainly from County SPLOST dollars in addition to the $2.5 million from Georgia DOT."

Sunbelt Structures, Inc., was the general contractor and Precision Planning, Inc., was the engineering firm for the project. Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc., managed the project.

"Our long-range plan for this extension is to loop Sugarloaf Parkway back to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in the Buford/Sugar Hill area," said Brian Allen, County transportation director.

Construction work is underway from Martins Chapel Road to Campbell Road, and construction has begun to extend the parkway to State Route 316.