Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded 25 contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $54,335,216. This investment in Georgia’s transportation infrastructure yields significant economic benefits for Georgia as well as an improved quality of life for residents. Projects were advertised for bids in November, bids were received in December and contracts were awarded on January 5 and 6.

Georgia DOT continues to focus on preserving existing infrastructure with 13 awards totaling $39.9 million for resurfacing and maintenance of 170 miles of state highways. Since FY 17 began on July 1, Georgia DOT has invested $215.4 million in resurfacing interstate and state routes.

Georgia DOT is tackling deferred maintenance with funds generated by Georgia’s Transportation Funding Act (TFA) of 2015. This includes Georgia’s 18,000 miles of interstate and state routes.

“Taking proper care of our pavements not only extends the life of our roads, but also reduces the cost of driving by lowering fuel consumption and saving wear and tear on vehicles,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. said. “We are now resurfacing on an average 12 to 15-year cycle with preventative maintenance in between, instead of the previous 50-year cycle.”

The highest valued awarded contract is a 12-mile resurfacing on I-95/SR 405 from north of I-16/SR 404 to south of Georgia/South Carolina Bridge in Chatham and Effingham counties. The project, valued at $8.5 million, was awarded to Reeves Construction Company, Macon, Ga. The anticipated completion date is November 30, 2017.

Other resurfacing and maintenance projects include 24.3 miles on SR 315 in Harris County, 16 miles on SR 144 in Liberty and Long counties, and 5 miles on SR 38 in Decatur County.

Bridge projects represent 21 percent of the value of the awarded contracts. These include $3.7 million for rehabilitation of 33 bridges on I-85 in west central Georgia; and bridge construction in southeast Georgia.

Safety projects include signal improvements at six intersections in Forsyth County and railroad intersection signing and pavement marking upgrades at 149 railroad crossings in northwest and central Georgia.