The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has awarded 24 contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $85,421,677. These projects were advertised in May, bids were received on June 16, and contracts were awarded on June 30 to the lowest qualified bidder.

This month the Department addresses off-system safety with 16 awards for signing and pavement marking upgrades at over 475 locations on local roads in communities throughout Georgia. The $7 million in funds associated with these awards are part of Georgia DOT’s FY 2017 Off-System Safety Program, which focuses on low-cost safety improvements that are likely to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes on “off-system” city and county routes.
 
“Fatalities on Georgia’s roads are up 33 percent in the last two years and over a third occur on local roads,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. said. “Reducing these fatalities requires a continued investment in safety enhancements. I am pleased that GDOT can assist local governments with funding for these critical projects through our Off-System Safety Program.” 
 
The largest single monetary award is a $48.4 million contract for major interchange reconstruction along 5.3 miles of I-75/SR 40 from north of SR 133 to the Cook County line in South Georgia’s Lowndes County. 

• I-75/SR 7 (Shiloh Road/North Valdosta Road) interchange reconstruction includes widening Shiloh Road from two lanes to a four-lane divided roadway with a concrete median and paved shoulders, constructing a new bridge over I-75 and reconstructing the I-75 northbound ramps as a conventional diamond interchange. 

• I-75/SR 122 (Main Street) interchange reconstruction widens 0.7 miles of SR 122 (Main Street), reconstructs its interchange with I-75, constructs a new bridge over I-75 and reconstructs the I-75 ramps as a conventional diamond interchange. 

The contractor is Reames and Son Construction Company, of Valdosta, Ga., and the anticipated completion date is April 30, 2020.  
 
An innovative continuous flow intersection—Georgia’s second— is coming to Gwinnett County with intersection improvements on US 78/SR 10 at SR 124. The project will convert the existing signalized intersection to allow drivers to make left turns before the two roads cross. Relocating the left turn movement from the center of the intersection to the side reduces the potential for angle type crashes. In addition to reducing the frequency and severity of crashes, the CFI is expected to provide congestion relief and reduce travel delay.
 
The innovative CFI design saves taxpayer dollars and the capacity of this type of intersection rivals a full interstate-style interchange. The CFI also has a limited impact, as there are no ramps or overpasses constructed. Other CFIs are in development across Georgia.
 
In addition to the CFI, the $13.5 million award includes construction of a traffic signal bridge at the intersection, while improvements along Henry Clower Boulevard will provide an effective bypass of the CFI. The contractor is Pittman Construction Company, of Conyers, Ga. and the expected completion is August 31, 2019.
 
A $9.5 million construction contract for a project in Henry County is anticipated to significantly improve traffic flow, decrease congestion and enhance safety in McDonough. The two-mile long project includes an extension of two parallel east-west one way streets (one-way pair) from west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad to west of Postmaster Drive; roadways on a new location south of Jonesboro Street and east of Henry Street; construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Jonesboro Road and Doris Street; and installation of three new traffic signals and a pedestrian flashing beacon. The contract was awarded to Pittman Construction Company, of Conyers, Ga. and the expected completion is June 30, 2019.