Menu
THIS IS HAPPENING NOW
Called the Newton County Community
Improvements Act, the legislation sets
in motion improvements to make the
U.S. 278 corridor more dynamic and
attractive to high-end businesses, as
well as increase property values for
owners already located within the CID.
HWY 278
Located 35 miles from Atlanta, HWY 20 and HWY 278 are the primary routes to Covington Town Center. However, there is no celebration once one enters Covington boundaries and little to inform the new visitor how to approach the Historic Downtown.
Hover over the Images to the right to see a before and after drawing.
Hwy 278 at Pace Street
Before
After
Medical Gateway Hwy 278 at Mill Street
Before
After
Hwy 278 East at MLK 142
Before
After
Exit 90 at Hwy 278
Before
After
Our Projects
Click on any project category below to learn more
- Gateways
- Street Trees
- Signals
- Medians
- Transportation
- Sidewalks
- Banners
- Signage
Gateways
Gateways
Gateways are recommended at significant points of entry to help the unfamiliar user navigate the environment and create a sense of place. Scale and type of gateway shall be appropriately themed and scaled for the entry point.
To the left is a conceptual design of Pace Street Entry Gateway to Historic Downtown Covington.
Street Trees
Street Trees
Street trees have been proven to be an asset to a community by increasing property values, providing solar mitigation and enhancing the appearance to all users. All street trees will be selected from the DOT recommended list and will be selected based upon the scale of the road and destination. The trees will be pruned up to minimize “truck cut” and to facilitate views of the businesses Designer will minimize all potential conflicts with over and underground utilities and sight lines.
Signals
New Signals and Lights
New signals should be upgraded to current standards and timed to allow traffic to circulate at the speed limit, thereby reducing the tendency to speed.
New LED lights should be specified to maximize electrical efficiencies. If budget is available, consider installing LED pedestrian scale lights with banners to denote a special area, such as the Medical Gateway.
Medians
Medians
Medians shall be installed throughout the corridor with limited breaks at signalized intersections to help control vehicular traffic, improve safety, and provide a pedestrian refuge that reduces the length of time to cross the street in the crosswalk. The median width will be reduced at a signalized intersection to provide adequate queuing of vehicles for the left turn or U-turn operations. The design team will work with the community stakeholders to determine the location of mid-block breaks to facilitate the u-turn operations to ensure vehicular access to businesses.
Medians will include decorative LED pedestrian lights with place-making banners for each district to convey a specialized message. Decorative crosswalks can be utilized to define the pedestrian connections and, if desired, can be designed to create a memorable sense of place. Refer to notes on Street trees.
Brick pavers will be used in medians at narrow left turn lanes where planting is not feasible and as a two foot maintenance border to protect maintenance staff. All materials specified will be obtained within 100 miles of the project in order to match the existing character and to save on transportation costs.
Transportation
Consider Alternative Modes of Transportation
Bicycling has become an increasingly accepted mode of transportation throughout the United States, as it encourages healthy lifestyles, minimizes transportation costs and has less negative impact on the environment. This needs further study with the DOT and community input to confirm the viability of this mode of transportation. A minimum of three feet buffered zone, which could be striped or planted, would provide adequate protection for the faster-moving vehicles.
Sidewalks
Side Treatment at Back of Curb
Universally accessible sidewalks are recommended to connect the entire corridor and encourage alternative modes of circulation. Sidewalks should be minimum of 6 feet (8 feet preferred), and protected from cars by a planting and utility zone, which should be between 6 and 8 feet to allow adequate space for large scale trees and possibly pedestrian scale lighting (if within budget). Large street trees provide shade for the pedestrian user and help to mitigate the heat-island effect. Trees shall be pruned up to avoid “truck cut” and maximize views to businesses.
Banners
Banners
Banners to be selected from images significant to the City and Community, in Vibrant colors or Sepia Tones:
- Architecture
- History
- Industry
- Cultural Events
Signage
Covington Entry Signage
If the overpass is not used for signage, consider the design of a brick- or stone-clad entry feature with a limestone cap, and “Welcome to Covington” in brass or bronze raised letters.
Onward Together
The CID is going to be a game-changer for Highway 278 and the revitalization efforts happening around the city of Covington.
“I believe the Highway 278 Community Improvement District will be an enormous engine that
will drive enhanced economic development and consumer vitality all along the corridor and to
the benefit of our community at large.”
I believe as the gateway to our community, it will be a great asset for the business owners to be able to improve their district as they see fit.
Subscribe
Keep up with events, promotions, project
updates and more.
- 2101 Clark Street Covington, GA 30014
- 770-786-7510
- cid@selectnewton.com