Other road news
- Resurfacing work is planned on U.S. 129/Athens Highway from Ga. 323/Gillsville Highway to Monroe Drive from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday. One lane will be closed as crews work. The completion date for the project is April 30, but "we expect the work to be finished by the end of the year if weather permits," DOT District Engineer Russell McMurry said. The estimated cost of the three-mile project is $1.1 million, with federal stimulus money footing the bill.
- Five area DOT engineers join an eight-member team from Northeast Georgia volunteering for work related to recent North Georgia flooding. They are Jesse Anderson of Oakwood, Rhonda Brady of Cleveland, David Eller of Mount Airy, Daniel Ferguson of Cornelia and Chris York of Demorest. "The flooding has been an incredible ordeal," said DOT Commissioner Vance C. Smith Jr. "... We’ve got a dynamic team over here, and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone at (the DOT)."
If a dry spell settles in as predicted, the last big piece to the massive overhaul of Interstate 985 in South Hall is expected to fall into place by midmorning Thursday.
That’s when the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to the open the southbound entrance ramp from Atlanta Highway at Exit 17.
Reaching that milestone, however, requires some possible traffic delays for motorists.
Crews are planning to shift I-985’s southbound lanes at Exit 17 back to its original location Tuesday, with a lane closure set for noon to 3 p.m.
"Once traffic shifts back to its permanent location, you will notice a much smoother ride. The outside lane of I-985 south right now is utilizing an area that will become the shoulder of the roadway," said DOT District Engineer Russell McMurry.
Traffic was shifted in December 2007 to allow for the widening of the I-985 south bridge over Ga. 53/Mundy Mill Road.
In related work, the outside lane on the southbound collector distributor lanes will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday for restriping work.
After the new southbound ramp is open, crews will open the second left-turn lane from Mundy Mill Road to I-985 southbound.
Also, cable barrier installation in the median is almost completed.
The southbound section of cable barrier only needs the cable to be tensioned and reflectors to be installed. The northbound section of cable barrier concrete pad has all been poured and is curing. Crews still have to install posts, string and tension the cable and install the reflectors.
Median work and "punch list" items will continue throughout the fall. Occasional lane closures will be required to complete that work.
The overall completion date for the $75 million makeover, which involved building Exit 17 and one leg of the four-lane Thurmon Tanner Parkway, is Dec. 31.
"This project has improved travel in southern Hall County and the entire region," McMurry said.