Commissioner Terry Board of Commissioners Announcements – 5/14/2024

Advanced Voting Ends Soon!
Friday, May 17th is the final day for Advanced Voting. Your voice, your vote is more important than ever! There is a link to the DeKalb Voter Registration and Election website on my Face Book Page that is pinned to the top.

Know before you go, sample ballots, precinct information, what you will need to bring and a GIS tracker for wait times.

You can also find this information at dekalbcountyga.gov/Voter-registration-elections

May 21st is Election Day!

2024 Earth Day Launch Successfully Is In The History Book!
The Super District 6 Team and I had a great time celebrating Earth Day and sincerely appreciate those who attended

Thank you again to all our friends that joined our District 6 Team and I for our 2024 Earth Day celebration! We kicked off the event with thoughtful discussions on climate solutions and Environmental Justice, spent the afternoon planting fruit trees and pollinator habitat at the Chamblee Library Productive Urban Landscape, and rounded out the day by enjoying the sunset at DeKalb County’s natural wonder, Arabia Mountain.

A heartfelt thank you to the DeKalb County Team because with you it would have been impossible to execute! And in this spirit, I want to recognize Commissioner Michelle Long Spears and the District 2 team, Planning and Sustainability, Public Works , Porter Sanford staff, Chamblee Library staff, Arabia National Heritage Alliance, and our Park Rangers and Naturalists for joining us in making the day extra awesome!

Team Terry Has Just Begun!
These discussions do not end after Earth Day, because EVERY DAY we should cherish and celebrate!!! And to keep the momentum going, mark your calendar with a Save the Date!

My office will be hosting another Environmental Justice event, 9 am on Saturday, June 29 at New Life Church and Community Center.
For more information on this event, the DeKalb Green New Deal, and what my office is doing to prioritize Environmental Justice in DeKalb County you can visit https://commissionertedterry.com/events

Stay In The Know
There is a lot going on that impacts District 6. In an effort to save time, I want to remind or invite you to connect with me on my website or either Facebook or Instagram. My handle is Commissioner Ted Terry.

  1. The GDOT North Druid Hills Bridge repairs are well underway.
    My office will continue to work with the Administration and commission district offices to share any information we receive, but for the quickest and newest, GDOT is encouraging you to sign up for alerts at dot.ga.gov.
  2. District 3 resident’s, I am coordinating a District 3 Town Hall with the Administration as an opportunity to hear your concerns and answer your questions on Thursday, June 13th at 6:30P at the South DeKalb Senior Center. This is for all District 3 constituents. Check your emails and Next-Door app for additional information in the next few weeks. I have contacts that will be helping to get the word out since I may not have your email address.

Will you please help spread the word!

  1. Our AWESOME PAL Plus program with the DeKalb County Police Department has a wonderful swimming program for youth. From scared of water to unstoppable is the goal with their swimming program. For information about this, please send an email to Amingo@dekalbcountyga.gov
  2. Decide DeKalb Development Authority, the leading economic development organization in DeKalb County, is launching a DeKalb County Black Business Guide and is actively accepting entries.

This comprehensive guide aims to celebrate and highlight the vibrant spectrum of Black-owned businesses throughout the county. If you are a Black Business in DeKalb County, visit my Facebook for the flyer with the QR Code to get started.

In closing a few “calls to action”
• I attended the annual DeKalb County Fallen Officers Memorial Service last Wednesday and the reality of the meaning and commitment of our Law Enforcement is something I never take for granted.

As a citizen of DeKalb County, elected Commissioner, and Chair of Employee Relations and Public Service, I sincerely and humbly appreciate our Law Enforcement and am dedicated to supporting and honoring our current, former, and fallen officers… those connected by the badge and committed to serving and protecting… us.

My deepest condolences to the families who have lost a hero and a heartfelt thank you to those who have and currently serve.

• I am excited to share an awesome opportunity for tech training and job placement assistance that was funded for DeKalb County residents by an appropriation from former Commissioner Lorrain Cochran Johnson and now launching.

The RefCode tech bootcamp, known as Bubble, is a new way to build complex and sophisticated web applications and is the future of web development and programming with Bubble is an alternative to traditional coding, and is the tool of choice for tech startups, small businesses and internal tooling at enterprise companies.

RefCode staff and experts will teach two cohorts with the first beginning June 2024 and the second in September 2024. Each cohort can accommodate 20 students and the training lasts 9 weeks. The class is free of charge and open to DeKalb County residents.

Applications are currently being accepted on the Refcode website at https://refcode.org/Bubble-Bootcamp.

• Reminding District 6 that the DeKalb County Animal Shelter is still seeking volunteers to walk shelter dogs. Pet families know how important it is to socialize and exercise dogs and for those who are stuck in shelters it is critical and can impact coveted adoption opportunities!!!

Email Brian Cooke- bcooke@deKalbanimalservices.com for additional information or visit my Facebook Commissioner Ted Terry for a QR code.

And lastly, emailing is the most efficient means of communications. I may not have an immediate answer or be able to make an immediate resolve, but I can promise that my office will forward your concerns to the respective department head for assistance.

My email address is easy… Ted@deKalbcountyga.gov . Phone calls are routed if you call my office number, 404-371-4909.

90-Day Closure and Detour for Replacement of SR 42/North Druid Hills Road Bridge to Begin April 26

In February, Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) contractors commenced preliminary work at the State Route42/North Druid Hills Road bridge over North Fork Peachtree Creek to complete required construction ahead of the planned 90-day bridge closure.

This full roadway closure between Buford Highway and W. Druid Hills Drive will expedite the demolition and reconstruction of the current bridge built in 1962 and maintain public safety during active bridge construction. The bridge closure and 90-day detour are anticipated to begin on April 26, 2024. During the three-month period, motorists will need to utilize the provided 5-mile detour route. Drivers will still have open access from the Interstate 85 interchange (Exit 89) and properties adjacent to the bridge work zone during this time. The bridge replacement is part of the larger Interstate 85 at SR 42/North Druid Hills Road Interchange Improvement project now underway.

Status Update: May 3, 2024

On April 26, 2024, Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) contractors closed the State Route (SR) 42/North Druid Hills Road bridge over North Fork Peachtree Creek for 90 days to safely expedite bridge reconstruction work. During this time, there is a signed, 5-mile, detour route in place. Drivers will still have open access from the Interstate 85 interchange (Exit 89) and properties adjacent to the bridge work zone during this time.

Click here to download additional photos.

Work taking place 4/26 through 5/3:

  • Bridge demolition is ongoing.
    • All bridge decking has been removed.
    • Crews are working on removing beams.
  • Bridge construction is ongoing.
    • West abutment formed and concrete poured.
    • Two columns for bent #2 formed and concrete poured.
  • Other ongoing work includes drainage and earthworks and work on the bridge abutment that will join the new bridge with the roadway closer to the car wash.
  • Traffic is moving through the work zone without major disruptions. Georgia DOT encourages motorists to plan ahead and to use caution around the work zone.

Status Update: May 16, 2024

Work taking place 5/10 through 5/16:

  • Bridge construction is ongoing:
    o Bent 4 abutment poured on 5/13
    o 12 beams in Span 1 placed on 5/15
  • Upcoming work:
    o Bent 3 cap to be poured on 5/17

Status Update: June 14, 2024

Work taking place 6/7 through 6/14:

Bridge construction is ongoing:
o Steel reinforcement for bridge deck was installed in spans 1, 2, and 3.o Final checks for bridge deck pour are in progress.
o Deck pour part 1 of 5 is scheduled for early next week.
o Backfilling for approach slabs is in progress.

Status Update: June 21, 2024

Work taking place 6/14 through 6/21 and upcoming work:

  • Bridge construction is ongoing:
    o Concrete for deck part 1 & 2 of 5 has been placed.
  • o Concrete for deck part 3 of 5 is scheduled for 6/24.
  • o Concrete for deck part 4 of 5 is scheduled for 6/26.
  • o Bridge approach slab steel reinforcement is in progress.
  • o Bridge approach slab concrete is scheduled for next week.

Status Update: July 19, 2024

On April 26, 2024, Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) contractors closed the State Route (SR) 42/North Druid Hills Road bridge over North Fork Peachtree Creek for 90 days to safely expedite bridge demolition and reconstruction work. During this time, there is a signed, 5-mile, detour route in place. Traffic is moving around the work zone without major disruptions.

The new bridge is tracking to be complete within the 90-day period and is anticipated to open next week. When open, three vehicle lanes in each direction will be available, as well as pedestrian access on the bridge’s southside. Construction activities will still be ongoing on the outside sections of the bridge as crews work to open the bridge to final configuration, which will include four lanes in each direction and an additional sidewalk on the northside.

Work taking place 7/12 through 7/19 and upcoming work:

  • Bridge construction is ongoing:
    o Bridge deck grinding is in progress.
    o Sidewalk concrete is scheduled for 7/20.
    o Bridge deck grooving is scheduled for 7/22.
    o Asphalt tie-in to bridge is in progress.

Click here for more information on the 90 Day Road Closure