Are local road projects going to make your Clayton County commute easier or harder this year? If you are house hunting near Jonesboro, Morrow, or the airport area, you have likely heard about SPLOST projects and how they may change daily routines. It can feel confusing to sort real improvements from the chatter. In this guide, you will learn what SPLOST means, how to check official project details, and how two commonly asked-about corridors may affect your move. Let’s dive in.
What SPLOST means for you
SPLOST is a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax that funds a set list of county capital projects. In Clayton County, transportation projects can include resurfacing, added turn lanes, intersection upgrades, new signals, sidewalks, ADA ramps, and drainage work tied to the roadway. That means you may see safer crossings, smoother traffic flow, and fewer potholes once projects wrap up.
An “active” project can be in design, right of way acquisition, permitting, construction, or close-out. Your experience depends on the phase. Construction brings temporary detours, noise, and lane shifts. Completed work can improve commute reliability, walkability, and stormwater performance.
Where to check official details
Before you make an offer or list your home, verify the facts through county and regional sources. Look for:
- The Clayton County SPLOST program page and project list for official descriptions and status notes.
- Clayton County Department of Transportation or Public Works documents for scope, limits, and contact information for the project manager.
- County commission agendas and minutes for design awards, right of way actions, and construction contracts.
- Clayton County GIS or a project viewer for map footprints and parcel impacts.
- Atlanta Regional Commission project entries for regional coordination and modeling, especially if a project connects to major routes.
- Georgia DOT materials if the corridor involves a state route.
- Transit agency notices for bus stop relocations or service adjustments.
When you review a project, record the exact project name as the county uses it, any ID number, the from-to limits, and the project manager contact. This makes follow up simple.
Battle Creek / Mt. Zion corridor
Many buyers ask about improvements along the Battle Creek and Mt. Zion corridor, which links neighborhoods to job centers in South Atlanta and the airport area. Here is how to evaluate it:
- Verify limits. Check the exact from-to streets and intersections in county documents so you know which segments are affected.
- Review planned features. Look for added turn lanes, new signals, sidewalk additions, drainage upgrades, and whether any widening is proposed.
- Check right of way needs. Ask if any parcels are affected and whether driveways or frontage will change.
- Note the schedule phase. Design, right of way, and construction windows affect your day-to-day experience.
What it can mean for you:
- Commute reliability. More capacity and intersection reconfiguration can reduce left-turn backups, which helps during peak hours.
- Walkability and school routes. New sidewalks and safer crossings make walking to bus stops and local amenities easier.
- Construction impacts. Expect temporary detours, noise, and staging while work is active. Time showings or photography accordingly if you are selling.
Plain-English example you might see on a corridor map: “Battle Creek / Mt. Zion improvements (limits confirmed by county) — design work funded; expected benefits include fewer left-turn backups at key intersections, added sidewalks on both sides where feasible, and upgraded drainage.”
Aviation Boulevard upgrades
Aviation Boulevard serves the airport area and connects to major arterials. Buyers and investors often ask how upgrades here change access and noise exposure. Use this checklist:
- Verify who is involved. Confirm if the project is county-only or if it coordinates with GDOT or airport authorities.
- Confirm connections. Note ties to I-75 or I-85 and how intersection changes affect access during peak times.
- Review transit and pedestrian features. Look for bus stop relocations, safer crossings, and signal timing updates.
- Consider freight routing. Near-airport corridors can carry more heavy vehicles, which can change traffic volumes.
What it can mean for you:
- Faster airport and highway access. Any improvement that shortens trips to major highways or terminals adds everyday utility for frequent flyers and shift workers.
- Existing noise factors. Near-airport parcels may already have noise considerations. Added capacity can change volumes, so review the design documents.
- Rental and commercial demand. Improved access can make nearby rentals or short-term lodging more attractive to some investors.
Plain-English example for a map label: “Aviation Boulevard corridor upgrades — focuses on intersection safety, added sidewalks, and better airport-area access; watch for bus stop relocations and signal timing changes that may shorten peak travel times.”
How features affect value and comfort
Every corridor is different, but common project elements tend to influence buyer and seller decisions in predictable ways.
- Road widening and turn lanes. Buyers often see reduced peak delay and a less stressful commute. Sellers can highlight improved access once complete. Properties directly on a widened road may see increased traffic and noise, so consider mitigation.
- Sidewalks and crosswalks. These improve walkability and safer routes to bus stops and local amenities. For sellers, this can create simple staging moments, like fresh landscaping and clear access to the new walkway.
- Signal and traffic management upgrades. Smoother flow and safer intersections help, even if the benefits are less visible in listing photos. Mention reduced idling and better peak movement in your buyer FAQs.
- Drainage and resurfacing. Fewer potholes and better stormwater control are meaningful for homes with basements or lower lots. Sellers can emphasize reduced maintenance and a cleaner curb approach.
- Right of way acquisition. Always confirm whether a specific parcel or driveway is affected. Ask for right of way exhibits and talk to the county project manager.
Buyer checklist for due diligence
Use this quick list before you write an offer:
- Ask the listing agent and county whether the property is within a right of way exhibit or adjacent to proposed limits.
- Request the latest design or right of way maps from the county project manager.
- If you commute during rush hours, review any county or regional traffic modeling that shows projected travel time changes.
- For families, confirm whether sidewalk or crossing work will be complete before the school year.
- If you rely on transit, check for bus stop relocations or temporary closures during construction.
Seller checklist before listing
If you plan to sell near an active corridor, prepare for both the construction phase and the benefits that follow.
- Confirm parcel impacts. Verify right of way needs and access changes before you set expectations.
- Time your photography. Avoid days with visible construction staging if possible.
- Lean into walkability. If new sidewalks or crossings are coming, small curb appeal updates like lighting and trimmed front yards can help your photos and first impressions.
- Address noise where needed. If a road will carry more traffic, consider landscaping or fencing and include those updates in disclosures.
- Consider pre-sale improvements. If timing allows, cosmetic updates and staging can help you capture buyer interest once access improves.
Make a simple corridor map
A clear, plain-English map helps you share what you have learned with your household or buyers. Here is a simple process:
- Gather footprints. Use the county’s GIS or SPLOST viewer to collect project shapes or the official from-to descriptions.
- Cross-check regionally. Compare your notes with ARC and GDOT maps to see connections to state routes or major corridors.
- Label for function. For each corridor, add a short line with the name, limits, and three buyer-focused bullets: commute effect, walkability, and a construction note. Only include years or dates that you confirm in county documents.
- Use simple styling. Differentiate design, under construction, and completed. Add icons for commute time, walkability, and construction impact to make scanning easy.
- Add a source note. List the county SPLOST project list as your source and include the project manager contact for verification.
Work with a local guide
You deserve clear answers before you buy or sell. Our team tracks county updates, helps you verify parcel impacts, and coaches you on timing a listing or offer around project milestones. If you want a step-by-step plan that fits your move and commute, reach out to The Kinnebrew Group for local guidance you can trust.
FAQs
What is SPLOST in Clayton County?
- SPLOST is a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax that funds a defined list of county capital projects like roads, safety facilities, parks, and buildings.
How do road projects affect daily commutes in Clayton County?
- Intersection reconfiguration, added turn lanes, and signal upgrades can reduce peak-hour delay and improve travel-time reliability once construction is complete.
Where can I verify a project’s exact limits and status?
- Check the Clayton County SPLOST project list and GIS viewer, then confirm details with the project manager listed in county documents.
Will my driveway or frontage be affected by a SPLOST project?
- Review right of way plans and acquisition exhibits, and contact the county project manager to confirm whether a specific parcel is impacted.
How do sidewalks and crosswalks from SPLOST projects affect buyers?
- Sidewalks and safer crossings improve walkability and access to bus stops and amenities, which many buyers see as a clear lifestyle benefit.
What should sellers near an active project do before listing?
- Confirm parcel impacts, plan photography around construction, highlight walkability, consider noise mitigation if needed, and time your market debut for maximum appeal.
How can I track Aviation Boulevard and Battle Creek / Mt. Zion updates?
- Follow the county’s SPLOST project list, county meeting files, and any transit notices, and keep a record of project names, limits, and manager contacts for quick updates.
