This expansion project may be an exercise in patience, but will certainly

prove

that the pain is worth the gain."

ER Snell Contractor was awarded a $14

million contract for the widening of Ga. Highways 34/54 from just west of

Fischer Road in Coweta County to Ga. Highway 74 in Peachtree City and has

now been issued

a notice to proceed. They are ready to go to work on this project and plan

to begin before the end of July. The projected completion date is June 30,

2006.

This project will include 2.175 miles of widening for additional lanes,grading,

drainage, base and plant mix resurfacing. Some construction details

in Peachtree City are as follows:

- 44' raised grass median

- Two lighted pedestrian/golf cart tunnels.

- Signalized median openings at Macduff Parkway, Planterra Way, Huddleston

Road, and Market Place, each having black finished mast arm assemblies.

- An un-signalized median opening at Line Creek Drive.

- Sidewalks and aluminum handrail on bridge over Line Creek.

- Signals that are interconnected with fiber-optic cable to promote

corridor operation through synchronization

Area Engineer Marc Mastronardi said, "The DOT is sensitive to the impact

projects have on communities. Both SR-34 and SR-54 carry high volumes of

traffic daily, especially during morning and evening commute hours, so time

restrictions have been written into the contract on this project. No work

that requires lane closures will be performed between the hours of 6 am and

9 am for the morning commute, and none that requires lane closures will be

performed between the hours of 4 pm and 6:30 pm for the evening commute.

However, activity outside of the existing travel ways will likely be performed

during those hours. Motorists should make their daily travel plans with this

construction work in mind."

"We encourage anyone who can to use alternate routes whenever possible,''

said Dorothy Daniel, a DOT Communications Officer. "We also urge them

to drive with extreme care when passing through any construction work zone.

Their own lives as well as the lives of the workers depend upon it. They

should be alert for workers, equipment, message boards, slow dawns, lane

shifts, new signals, and adjusted speed limits. In choosing alternate routes,

it is extremely important that they obey all local speed ordinances."

With construction abounding along this corridor, the DOT is making efforts

to keep the public well-informed as they plan their daily activities.

Residents are encouraged to be attentive to local media outlets, including

television, radio, and newspaper for up-to-date information. Businessleaders

can obtain an informative brochure about this project by calling the DOT

office in Thomaston at 706-646-6257. They can get timely information by visiting

the Georgia Navigator web site at www.georgia-navigator.com to view

current traffic interruption reports for the major corridors of the state.