Roswell's $10.7 million overhaul of Riverside Road is heading into construction after Mayor Mary Robichaux and all six council members unanimously approved the project on Monday, July 13.
The two-mile stretch between Riviera Road and Old Alabama Road will get a continuous multi-use trail, a roundabout, buffered bike lanes, new sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. For neighbors who have followed years of planning meetings, the question now is practical: what happens to the trees, and when does the work start?
Tree canopy: 76% of specimen trees stay
Of the 95 specimen trees along the corridor, 72 will remain standing, according to the city's project update published Wednesday, July 16, on Roswell Connections. Twenty-three specimen trees will be removed. In total, 129 trees will come down during construction, and 49 new trees will be planted once the corridor is complete.
City staff said engineers evaluated alternatives to minimize removals while meeting safety standards and making room for new infrastructure.
What's being built
Andy Phlegar, the city's director of transportation, presented the contract to council on July 13. The scope includes:
- A modern roundabout at River Lake Drive
- A new traffic signal at Taimen Drive
- Raised medians
- Dedicated bicycle lanes
- An 8- to 10-foot multi-use trail with pedestrian lighting on the south side of Riverside Road
- A 5-foot sidewalk on the north side
- Improved pedestrian crossings and drainage
The contract went to BackBone Infrastructure, LLC, the lowest responsive bidder, at $9,489,436.50. A separate $1,454,580 budget amendment recognizes anticipated reimbursement from Fulton County, bringing total project authorization to $10,721,901.50. Funding comes from the second iteration of Fulton County's Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST), which voters approved in 2021.
Resident concerns and city responses
Two residents spoke at the July 13 meeting, raising questions about bicycle lane width, potential speeding, and pollution, according to Appen Media's coverage of the vote. Council approved the project unanimously after discussion.
In a separate Q&A recap published on Roswell Connections, city staff confirmed the design is final and unlikely to have any major changes. Staff also clarified that the project does not include steel barriers and that pedestrian lighting will operate only at night.
What to expect during construction
The city has not announced a construction start date or projected completion timeline. During the work, residents can expect periodic lane closures, temporary traffic shifts, and active work zones. The city said access to neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and parks will be maintained throughout construction.
Residents can follow updates through Roswell Connections, the city's social media channels, and the project webpage at roswellgov.com.
Looking ahead
A separate future extension of Riverside Road improvements south of Old Alabama Road is proposed as part of the 2026 TSPLOST, contingent on voter approval in a November 2026 referendum.
