The Ga. Department of Transportation is planning later this year to widen Ga. Highway 54 East to four lanes beginning at McDonough Road east of Fayetteville to Tara Boulevard in Clayton County.

Fayette County Public Works Director Phil Mallon said the $50 million project will widen the current two-lane roadway to four lanes to link up to the major thoroughfare in Jonesboro. The project will also include sidewalks and bike lanes and calls for the construction of a number of bridges.

Mallon said design work and right-of-way acquisition is complete and bids for the project are out.

Work is expected to begin later this year, Mallon said.