Georgia DOT has awarded 34 construction contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $112,686,991.42. These projects were advertised in March, bids were received on April 20; 33 contracts were awarded on May 4 and one was awarded on May 7 to the lowest qualified bidder.
 
Routine maintenance represents 72 percent of the awarded funds. This includes resurfacing on 159 miles of roadway, as well as several bridge rehabilitation contracts. The largest contract is an investment of $37.6 million to resurface 19 miles on Interstate 75/State Route 401 in Gordon and Whitfield counties. Other resurfacing contracts were awarded for projects in counties across Georgia including Twiggs, Walker, Oglethorpe, Rockdale, Carroll and Clayton. This focus on deferred routine maintenance is made possible through funds resulting from Georgia’s Transportation Funding Act (TFA) of 2015.
 
The largest construction investment is a $12.1 million contract for construction of a diverging diamond interchange on I-285/SR 407 at SR 6 in Fulton County. The existing bridge over I-285/SR 7 will be widened and shoulders will be reconstructed. Construction is expected to begin this summer with an anticipated completion of Nov. 30, 2019. Construction fits within the existing right-of-way, which contributes to the quick delivery. The contractor is CMES, Inc., of Norcross.
 
A DDI is an innovative interchange design that not only promotes safety, but also reduces congestion and minimizes project cost; construction time is reduced and traffic flow is maintained while contractors perform their work. The DDI design shifts the flow of traffic to the opposite side of the road to reduce points of traffic conflict. It allows vehicles to turn left onto on-ramps without stopping – allowing for unobstructed left-turns and continuous movement. It is effective for interchanges with a lot of turning movements, especially those with heavy truck traffic.
 
Lane closures will be limited during construction with much of the work to be done during overnight hours. Traffic will be detoured during the transition weekend when traffic is shifted from one side of the road to the other side for the DDI configuration.

Aerotropolis Atlanta Community Improvement Districts and its partners are providing $1.5 million for landscaping, decorative walls, fencing and lighting beautifications. Kirsten Mote is program director for AACIDs.

“The AACIDs are excited to be partnering with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Fulton County, College Park and East Point on this transformative project for South Fulton County,” Mote said. “Not only will the project provide a much needed mobility solution, but it will also create a gateway to the Aerotropolis for residents, employees and visitors.”
 
Additional awards include contracts for bridge construction and reconstruction in Bartow, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Hart, Stewart, Terrell, Walker, Whitfield and Worth counties.
 
The awards bring the 10-month Fiscal Year 2018 total construction contracts to $834.7 million. FY 18 began July 1.