Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County highway toll would aim to alleviate traffic

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County highway could soon become the state's newest toll road.

Revenue raised would help extend Sugarloaf Parkway, between Interstate 85 and Highway 316.

Commissioners already gave the OK to some funding.

Leaders in Gwinnett County said they need a toll to pay for the rest of the project that will ultimately cut down commute time for all residents.

Sugarloaf Parkway already goes up to Georgia 316 but county officials want to extend it another 6 miles to I-85.

They say the only way they can do it is if drivers pay as they go.

Plans call for the limited access road to go north from 316 and intersect with Braselton Highway.

NewsDrone 2 showed the area off Sunny Hill Road near Mountain View High School where the toll road would merge into a new interchange along I-85 just north of the Mall of Georgia.

The project would cost somewhere around $285 million.

Residents said they do not mind paying if they can cut down commute time.

"Especially from 3-7 you definitely don't want to leave the house because it's just so congested," Mecca Pettiford-Green said.