Johns Creek council approves friendly condemnation for Barnwell Road parcel and awards Bice Road bridge contract with state and county funding

The Johns Creek City Council on April 14 approved multiple actions related to transportation and land acquisition, including a friendly condemnation resolution to secure right-of-way for the Barnwell Road and Niblick Drive intersection and the award of a construction contract for the Bice Road bridge project.

City attorney Couch told the council the Barnwell Road acquisition is a "friendly condemnation," explaining that the homeowners association could not assemble the necessary votes and the city expects to deposit just and adequate compensation into the court registry. "That's what I mean by friendly condemnation," Couch said, adding that the process is the only way to obtain title needed for the project. Council members moved, discussed briefly, and approved the resolution.

Public Works Director O'Connor presented the staff recommendation to award a construction contract to Georgia Bridge and Concrete in the amount of $5,739,782 for the Bice Road bridge project, with a construction engineering-inspection (CEI) task order to Lowe Engineering and a 10% construction contingency that brings the total project construction budget to roughly $6,800,000. O'Connor said about $5,700,000 of the construction costs will be covered by a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Fulton County intergovernmental agreement (IGA).

Councilmembers asked technical questions about the project. O'Connor confirmed the multi-use trail widens to 16 feet across the bridge to meet GDOT requirements and said a six-inch curb and guardrail protection will be provided so pedestrians are not separated by a barrier from the roadway but have a protected space; the guardrail protects bridge approaches. Staff also said the trail will connect to an existing trail under construction and that staff will coordinate detours and school-bus routing with Fulton County Schools.

Council approved consolidated actions related to the bridge: the construction contract, a GDOT agreement (accepting state funds for construction), and an IGA with Fulton County to accept $300,000 for water and sewer relocation. Members thanked staff for securing state, county and federal funding; one councilmember noted that closing the road entirely during construction—rather than keeping lanes open—would shorten construction time and save approximately $1.5 million.

No roll-call vote tallies were read into the record for these items; the clerk called for voice votes and the council indicated approval.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution to acquire Parcel 1 at Barnwell Road and Niblick Drive (friendly condemnation): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote). - Construction contract with Georgia Bridge and Concrete for the Bice Road bridge: approved (contract $5,739,782; total with 10% contingency ~ $6,800,000). - Agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation and intergovernmental agreement with Fulton County (accept funds: GDOT ~$5.37M; Fulton County $300,000 for utilities relocation): approved (consolidated motion; voice vote).

The council adjourned to an executive session on land, legal and personnel matters.