Georgia DOT has awarded 33 construction contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $68,720,964. These projects were advertised in October, bids were received on November 17, and contracts were awarded on December 1 to the lowest qualified bidder.
 
The total includes $34.2 million in resurfacing contracts, which represents half of the awarded funds, and bridge construction and rehabilitation contracts equaling 28 percent. Contracts for safety enhancements include cable barrier installations and intersection traffic signal upgrades; construction of a roundabout to improve sight distance was awarded in Dawson County.
 
The largest awarded contract is for construction of a bridge and approaches on State Route (SR) 234 over the Chickasawhatchee Creek in Calhoun and Dougherty counties in southwest Georgia. The $9.7 million 1.2-mile project replaces the current narrow and structurally deficient bridge - built in 1958 - with a new reinforced concrete bridge with two 12-foot travel lanes and 6.5-foot paved shoulders. The project plan, which includes permanently re-aligning SR 234 just south of its present location and constructing a new triple 9-foot by 6-foot overflow bridge culvert over Chickasawhatchee Creek Tributary, minimizes environmental impacts to wetlands, streams and associated threatened and endangered species within the corridor. There will be no detours; traffic will continue to use the existing bridge during construction. The contract was awarded to Oxford Construction Company of Albany, Ga. with an anticipated completion of May 31, 2020.
 
A $3.8 million bridge replacement contract was also awarded for construction of a bridge and approaches on SR 83 over the Towaliga River in Monroe County in west central Georgia. The current bridge, built in 1957, is below current design standards. It is in fair structural condition with minor to moderate concrete cracking and spalling with some exposed reinforcement. The 60-year-old structure is being replaced due to its outdated design and structural integrity. There will be no detours during construction. The existing bridge will remain open while the new one is constructed. Upon completion, traffic will shift to the new bridge, and the old bridge will be removed. Completion is anticipated May 31, 2019.
 
The awards bring the five-month Fiscal Year 2018 total construction contracts to $477.6 million. FY18 began July 1.