The transportation landscape on Newnan’s southeast side is about to undergo a transformation. Crews are set to begin work on a project that will extend the four-lane Newnan Crossing Bypass south to Ga. Highway 16 and U.S. Highway 29. The area along Hwy. 29 will also be upgraded from Interstate 85 to Pine Road.
The project will have Newan Crossing Bypass extended from Turkey Creek Road to the north for a distance of approximately 1.7 miles down to Hwy.16 where it will intersect just west of East Gordon Road. The entire span of the roadway will include four lanes and a median.
The intersection with Hwy.16 will involve widening the roadway to four lanes beginning just west of the 1-85 overpass and extending it approximately one-half mile to Hwy. 29. That section of roadway will also be widened to accommodate four lanes and a median. Until warranted by the Ga. Dept. of Transportation, the intersection will utilize a stop sign.
The project will see a major reconfiguration of the intersection of Hwy. 16 and Hwy. 29. A traffic light will be installed at the intersection along with left-turn and right-turn lanes. The bypass will extend straight across Hwy. 29 and will take a 90-degree right turn behind existing businesses. The new road will extend a short distance and will be connection to the existing Pine Road. The current intersection of Pine Road and Hwy. 29 will be removed.
The section on Hwy. 29 between Hwy. 16 and and the traffic signal on the north side of I-85 will undergo a similar transformation and will feature four lanes divided by a median.
The large transportation project is expected to be completed in June 2016.
The $16.7 million contract was awarded to E.R. Snell. The project is funded with county and state funds.
The large transportation project is designed to increase mobility in the growing area on Newnan’s east and southeast sides. Given what is transpiring in the area there is little doubt that additional transportation options will be needed in the short-term. The area just east of Newnan Crossing Bypass and Poplar Road is the site of the upcoming interchange at 1-85, with Piedmont Newnan Hospital and a growing number of healthcare providers.
In terms of new businesses, the Coweta County Commission on Aug. 19 will hear a proposal to create 163,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space on the bypass at Poplar Road.
