The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded 388 construction contracts representing a total investment of $1,335,682,120 in Fiscal Year 2017, which ended June 30. Maintenance of existing infrastructure and road projects represented 43 and 35 percent of the funds, respectively, with bridge and safety projects making up the balance. The FY 17 total combined with the FY 16 total represents a nearly $3 billion investment in Georgia’s transportation system in two years.
 
“FY 17 has seen a continuation in Georgia DOT’s increased investment in taking care of existing roadways and bridges throughout the state, and we look forward to extending that investment as the years unfold,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “In addition to roadway resurfacing, safety projects and widening projects, GDOT has moved ahead with our 10-year Major Mobility Investment Program to address congestion along key freight and mobility corridors in preparation for a growth in freight traffic statewide.”
 
Earlier this month Georgia DOT awarded 26 construction contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $138,697,600. These projects were advertised in June, bids were received on July 21, and contracts were awarded on August 4 to the lowest qualified bidder.
 
The largest single monetary investment is a $48.3 million contract for a total of 3.8 miles of construction and widening on two Jimmy DeLoach Parkway projects in Chatham County (southeast Ga.), including construction of six bridges. The contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., of Fleming Island, Fl., and the anticipated project completion date is October 31, 2021.

• One project replaces the at-grade intersection of Jimmy DeLoach Parkway and US 80/SR 17/SR 26 with a grade-separated, limited access interchange to improve safety and reduce congestion. Jimmy DeLoach Parkway will be the mainline and will bridge over US 80. 

• The other project is Phase II of the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway. The 2.7 mile project begins at the I-16/SR17 Interchange, runs north along SR 17 to its intersection with Pine Barren Road, and then to Jimmy DeLoach Parkway Phase 1. The project includes additional lanes, medians, widening of the bridge over Little Ogeechee River and construction of a dual two-lane new bridge over the CSX Railroad.

A $26.4 million contract was awarded for 2.2 miles of new interchange construction on US 29/SR 316 at SR 81 in Barrow County (northeast Ga.). The project also includes one bridge that will grade separate the existing at-grade intersection by raising SR 81 over SR 316.  Interchange entrance and exit ramps will provide access to and from SR 316 to the cross road of SR 81. The project goal is to provide operational improvements and to reduce crash frequency and severity. CMES, Inc., of Norcross, Ga. is the contractor and the expected completion date is October 31, 2020.

Other awards include:

• 13 off-system bridge replacements on local roads, a total investment of

  $17 million.

• 15 bridge rehabilitations or replacements on state roads, an investment of

  $16.3 million.

• $15.9 million for 53 miles of resurfacing and maintenance on state highways.

• Passing lane project in Harris County; turning lane project in Henry County.

• Safety and operational improvements including intersection, traffic signal, signing and pavement marking upgrades.