It may have been a formality, but an agreement signed by the Ga. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) means that construction on new turn lanes on the west side of Grady Avenue at Ga. Highway 85 South in Fayetteville could begin in January. And to make matters even better, DOT is increasing the amount it will fund for the project.
The new turn lanes were proposed by the city to accommodate the flow of traffic that has been enhanced with the completion earlier this year of the roundabout a couple of blocks to the west at Beauregard Boulevard.
The project includes a new right turn lane and a longer left turn lane on Grady Avenue as it approaches Hwy. 85 South from the direction of the roundabout located a short distance to the west at Grady and Beauregard Avenue.
Construction activities are expected to begin sometime in early 2012, said city Director of Public Services Don Easterbrook.
It turns out that the city will receive more funding dollars from DOT than had been expected. What was initially thought to be an $80,000 contribution from DOT for the $125,000-135,000 project has been adjusted so that DOT will provide $108,000. Easterbrook said.
Easterbrook said the remainder of the project cost will be funded by city’s 2004 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and impact fee revenues.
All the right-of-way for the project is owned by the Georgia Dept. of Transportation. Easterbrook said the right-of-way agreement will have the city responsible for providing the right-of-way, maintenance and utility issues associated with the project.
