It may turn

out that the widening of Ga. Highway 54 west to four lanes may well end

up on the fast track.

Fayette state

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh said yesterday that local motorists "could be

riding on it by 2004." The project was originally on the Georgia

Department of Transportation's long-term plan, but it was recently moved

to the more immediate plans on the state Transportation Improvement Program,

Seabaugh said.

"This

is a major development," Seabaugh said, adding that previous plans

were for the project to be completed by 2010.

The senator

cautioned, however, that this is "not a done deal," since there

is one more public meeting on the DOT's plans, followed by approval from

the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the federal highway

and transit administrations.

"If everything

is signed off, they will speed up the project," Seabaugh said.

Already, DOT

officials have begun right-of-way acquisition for the project. The DOT's

latest widening plans call for acquiring enough land to leave a landscaped

median that could be later used for two additional lanes of traffic if

needed in the future.

Peachtree City

officials have been stymied in their plans for the widening as residents

have complained continuously about traffic congestion in the area. A number

of developments planned for the western area of Peachtree City may be

put on hold until after the widening takes place because of the heavy

traffic congestion and requirements of the city's traffic impact ordinance.

Seabaugh said

that recent town hall meetings on transportation that he conducted in

Peachtree City and Coweta County may have helped DOT officials realize

the necessity of the project. A number of citizens spoke at those meetings

to indicate the widening of Hwy. 54 to four lanes should be a top priority,

he said.

The changes

came about recently as the state DOT and Federal Highway Transportation

Administration officials worked on the list of statewide projects that

will receive federal transportation funds, Seabaugh said.

Seabaugh said

he has lobbied "enormously" on the issue and was glad to see

action taking place on the matter.