The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded 23 contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $244,142,102. These projects were advertised in January, bids were received on February 17, and contracts were awarded on March 3 to the lowest qualified bidder. The awards focus on construction and operational improvements that enhance safety and address congestion, and resurfacing and maintenance projects.

Two major widening and reconstruction projects address safety and congestion in Bibb, Clayton and Fayette counties.

The largest investment is a contract for Phases II and III of the I-16/I-75 Interchange Reconstruction Project in the city of Macon in Bibb County. The two phases, valued at $148.7 million, widen over 3.8 miles of I-75 from Hardeman Avenue through its interchange with I-16, and include construction of 11 bridges and approaches. The goal is to improve traffic flow and enhance the safety of the I-16/I-75 interchange by adding capacity to both corridors. The contract was awarded to E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. of Snellville with an anticipated completion by summer 2021.

The overall I-16/I-75 Interchange Reconstruction Project widens and reconstructs I-75 from Hardeman
Avenue to Pierce Avenue and I-16 from I-75 to Walnut Creek. Operational improvements are expected to reduce congestion, improve freight movement, enhance safety and provide better access to and from the downtown Macon area. Improving sight distances, separating through traffic from local traffic, and
improving existing interchange operations are designed to contribute to a reduction in crashes.

Due to its complexity, the overall project is being done in phases. The two phases just awarded are in
addition to two that were previously awarded, and represent a total investment to date of $268.8 million.

This includes project engineering, right of way acquisition and construction. Three phases remain to be
awarded.

In Clayton and Fayette counties, a 5.3 mile widening and reconstruction of SR 54 from just north of
McDonough Road to US 19/US 41/SR 3/Tara Boulevard, valued at $43.2 million, was awarded to C.W.
Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. of Marietta. The project, designed to relieve congestion and improve
mobility, widens the corridor from two to four lanes, adds a raised median, widens the bridges over
Morning Creek, Camp Creek and the Flint River, and further addresses safety with a paved sidewalk in each direction. The plan reflects land use patterns, residential build-up and the numerous schools and churches in the area. The anticipated completion date is October 31, 2021.

Georgia DOT continues to tackle deferred maintenance and preservation of existing infrastructure with 16 awards totaling $34.2 million for resurfacing and maintenance of 166 miles of state highways.

The largest bridge investment is an $11.2 million contract for a 0.625 mile construction of a bridge and
approaches on SR 369 over Lake Lanier’s Six Mile Creek in Forsyth County. The current bridge, built in
1955 and designed for the lighter truck weights of its time, is functionally obsolete with posted weight
restrictions. No rehabilitation can be done to the substructure to improve the weight restriction and the
bridge must be replaced. Three bridge construction contracts were also awarded for bridges in southwest and east central Georgia.