Gresham Smith, a premier architecture, engineering, and consultancy services firm, is proud to share that the firm has been selected as the program manager for Cherokee County’s Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) initiative. The appointment represents a significant step forward in delivering critical transportation infrastructure improvements across Cherokee County.
As Cherokee County continues to experience rapid growth, the county is strategically investing in enhanced transportation infrastructure to support smart growth and safer streets for residents and visitors. Approved by Cherokee County voters in November 2025, the T-SPLOST program is estimated to generate $445 million over six years to fund transportation improvements throughout Cherokee County. The County will share funding with its cities with an estimated $275 million going towards funding transportation projects in the unincorporated areas.
The funding addresses a critical infrastructure gap, as current SPLOST allocations meet only approximately half of the county’s base-level road improvement needs. The T-SPLOST program provides a sustainable funding mechanism without requiring property tax increases, with an estimated one-third of sales tax revenue generated by out-of-county residents and visitors.
The comprehensive initiative encompasses 66 transportation projects scheduled for completion or construction by March 2032, addressing critical needs identified in the county’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan developed with extensive public input. Gresham Smith will be managing 46 of the County’s T-SPLOST projects .
“The T-SPLOST represents a historic investment in Cherokee County’s future,” said Patrick Bradshaw, AICP, SPLOST Roadway Program Director. “With Gresham Smith’s proven program management capabilities, we’re confident this partnership can deliver these critical infrastructure projects on time and on budget, setting the stage for continued growth and prosperity in our community.”
Gresham Smith’s scope of work will provide comprehensive program management support to help deliver transportation improvements safely and efficiently. This includes establishing program controls, coordinating project teams and local partners, managing project delivery and compliance requirements, monitoring performance, supporting financial and administrative processes, and overseeing project closeout. Through these efforts, the team will ensure projects remain aligned with County priorities and deliver meaningful safety benefits to the community.
“We’ve assembled a tremendous team to serve Cherokee County, including veteran staff members with extensive professional experience and proven expertise in transportation program delivery,” commented Cedric Clark, Georgia State Transportation Leader at Gresham Smith. “By embedding our staff directly in the County’s office, we’ll be able to collaborate more closely with County staff and deepen our connection to the community we serve. As Cherokee County’s first T-SPLOST initiative, this program is an important opportunity to deliver transportation improvements that enhance safety and quality of life for Cherokee residents while demonstrating the County’s commitment to being a responsible steward of T-SPLOST funds.”
In year one alone, Gresham Smith expects to move 23–29 projects through procurement while establishing reporting systems and a program dashboard, advancing 46 projects toward design, and moving additional projects into right-of-way acquisition and construction.
