Peachtree City officials on Tuesday described plans to design replacements for two frequently used Crosstown tunnels, including one near the Taco Bell site, saying the current corrugated‑metal structures are narrow, prone to flooding and create safety and sight‑distance problems for bikers and golf‑cart users.

City Engineer Dave Borkowski told the council a feasibility study found it is possible to replace the tunnels with about 14‑foot‑wide, 8‑foot‑tall concrete box tunnels without significantly raising the roadway profile. Pond and Company offered a design proposal for both tunnels for $300,000 with an expected 12–18 month design timeline, he said. The study estimated construction of about $1,400,000 per tunnel.

Borkowski said design work will include surveying, hydraulic modeling (the tunnels sit in the floodplain), and reworking path connections to improve accessibility and ADA compliance. He framed the project as part of the 2023 SPLOST list of projects and said staff will bring a formal vote on a design contract at a future meeting.

Councilmembers pressed staff about project prioritization and whether SPLOST funds are limited to the tunnels rather than more widespread golf‑cart path construction. A councilmember noted that many golf carts already use existing paths and asked whether the project primarily benefits a small share of higher‑lifted carts; staff responded the SPLOST designation is for tunnel improvements and that the Taco Bell tunnel carries high pedestrian and cart traffic and presents safety concerns that justified prioritization. Borkowski said the Taco Bell tunnel was among the most heavily trafficked and that widening and improving sight lines would reduce conflicts and allow two‑way passage.

The presentation said replacing the tunnels offers safety and operational improvements and that the design phase would inform final construction costs and timing. Staff said the project is funded by SPLOST and that the council will consider awarding a design contract at a subsequent meeting.