Commuters travelling Ga. highways 34 and 54 between Newnan and Peachtree

City are used to being frustrated, so the recent spate of construction on

the busy highway is nothing new to them.

But by 2006, DOT officials hope the commute between the two cities will

be a lot easier.

A recent drive from Peachtree City to Newnan confirms that progress is finally

being made on widening the busy highways. What used to be residents' front

yards is now a swath of Georgia red clay.

The $14 million expansion project is expected to be completed by June 30,

2006, said transportation officials.

DOT officials said the project includes 2.175 miles of widening for additional

lanes, grading, drainage, base and plant mix resurfacing. Some construction

details in Peachtree City are as follows:

- A 44-foot raised grass median.

- Two lighted pedestrian/golf cart tunnels.

- Sidewalks throughout the project.

- 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 an aluminum handrail on bridge over Line Creek.

"The DOT is sensitive to the impact projects have on communities. Both

S.R. 34 and S.R. 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 a.m. and 9 a.m. for the morning commute,

and none that requires lane closures will be performed between the hours

of 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 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," area engineer Marc Mastronardi said.