(Lawrenceville, Ga., Aug. 5, 2024) – County officials on Monday cut the ribbon on the Eastern Regional Greenway Trailhead and Apalachee Pump Station — part of the County’s Eastern Regional Infrastructure project, which provides water, sewer and trails to more than 8,500 acres in eastern Gwinnett.

"Our population continues to rise as people choose Gwinnett as the place, they’d like to grow their families and businesses," said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. "This project supports smart, environmentally conscious growth in this area of the county while promoting access to the natural beauty of this land."

The project includes 5 miles of new and upsized water pipelines, 6 miles of new gravity sewer systems and 7 miles of parallel wastewater force mains. This infrastructure network is complemented by the new regional sewer pump station, which has a 14-million-gallon-per-day capacity.

In addition to water and sewer services, the new trailhead provides access to 5.25 miles of trails from Harbins Road along the Apalachee River. A little over 2 miles of the trail, from Harbins Road to Highway 316, is now open to the public. The remaining sections will be accessible in the coming months as construction wraps up. The trailhead offers a grassy play area, a pavilion, restrooms, seating and parking. It also includes a bioretention area to promote sustainability and ecological balance.

"This new greenway trail strengthens neighborhood connections, creating even more opportunities for recreation, tranquility and rejuvenation," said District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins III. "I take pride in our County's dedication to prioritizing people and hope this development will inspire residents to explore and embrace nature." 

The project showcases the County’s environmental stewardship, earning an ENVISION Silver Certification for commitment to sustainable construction practices and environmental innovation. It has also been recognized as a 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers’ Project of Excellence, highlighting resourceful planning, innovative construction techniques and effective use of materials.

About $19.5 million from the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax was used to fund the trails portion of the $125 million project.