The Coweta County Commission last week gave unanimous approval for county representatives to begin negotiations with design firm Clough Harbour on the pricing and scope of work for the interchange at I-85 and Poplar Road.

County administrator Theron Gay told commissioners that the consultant selection committee had reviewed the 13 submissions received in the Request for Qualifications process and selected six design firms as finalists for interviews. Of those, the committee preferred Clough Harbour as the primary choice, Gay said.

Commissioners agreed, voting to have county representatives proceed with the planning and design negotiations for the interchange project.

Gay said the bulk of the funding for this phase of the project will come from impact fees.

Currently under construction, the new Piedmont Newnan Hospital and medical office center will be located in the southwest quadrant of the interchange at Poplar Road and I-85.