Columns Drive Improvement Project Set to Begin November 7

Columns Drive Improvement Project Set to Begin November 7

November 4, 2025 - After a series of meetings with residents along Columns Drive, the Cobb Department of Transportation (DOT) is set to begin a project aimed at enhancing safety and improving the overall appearance of the east Cobb corridor.

The Columns Drive Improvement Project began after DOT crews responded to several incidents involving fallen trees in recent months. Engineers consulted an arborist, who identified multiple trees posing a danger to motorists. Following neighborhood concerns about tree removal, DOT officials held a series of meetings to develop a solution acceptable to both residents and the county.

The project will begin with the removal of 47 of the 157 median trees within the right-of-way, along with the clearing of tree stumps, dead trees, and the selective pruning of dozens of others.

Next, the contractor will install 50 trees in the medians, plant hundreds of rhododendron shrubs near the park end of Columns Drive, and place mulch rings in the medians.

"We believe this solution will make Columns Drive safer and more attractive," said Cobb DOT Director Drew Raessler. "We appreciate the residents who worked with us on this project - their input was invaluable in shaping the vision for this popular corridor."

Columns Drive runs parallel to the Chattahoochee River off Johnson Ferry Road and is a popular route for bicyclists and visitors heading to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

The Columns Drive Improvement Project is scheduled to begin on November 7, with planting expected to be largely completed by early January. The contractor will continue post-installation maintenance through spring 2026.