JEFFERSON — Federal stimulus funds have finally trickled down to Jefferson for a road improvement project.
Work is expected to begin Thursday on the 6.2 mile long project along Ga. 82/Athens Highway. The project will stretch from Ga. 11 Business in Jefferson to the Barrow County line and is expected to be completed by May 31.
“This is Jackson County’s first and only (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) project,” said Teri Pope, Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson.
Among other things, the project will include resurfacing the roadway and adding 2-feet wide shoulders.
“The first week (crews) will be patching the roadway, removing the deep, damaged sections of asphalt and replacing it,” said Pope.
“That work does not occur along the entire project length — just in short sections, one lane wide. Since it is short sections, the work lane closures move quickly and jumps lanes — working in both directions (between Jefferson and Barrow County).”
Crews will be working between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. as the weather permits. Traffic in the designated areas will be stopped by flaggers, and a pilot vehicle will lead drivers through the work zones.
Project construction is expected to cost around $961,000, which is being fully funded by the federal government — meaning no matching local or state funds are necessary.
To date, more than $48 billion in ARRA funds have been used nationwide to improve transportation infrastructure; of that amount, $340 million has been spent in Georgia alone. Around $2.3 million has been spent in Hall County on two separate resurfacing projects — one on Mount Vernon Road and one on U.S. 129. A third Hall County stimulus project is planned on Ga. 365, but a start date has not been set yet.
Work is expected to begin Thursday on the 6.2 mile long project along Ga. 82/Athens Highway. The project will stretch from Ga. 11 Business in Jefferson to the Barrow County line and is expected to be completed by May 31.
“This is Jackson County’s first and only (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) project,” said Teri Pope, Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson.
Among other things, the project will include resurfacing the roadway and adding 2-feet wide shoulders.
“The first week (crews) will be patching the roadway, removing the deep, damaged sections of asphalt and replacing it,” said Pope.
“That work does not occur along the entire project length — just in short sections, one lane wide. Since it is short sections, the work lane closures move quickly and jumps lanes — working in both directions (between Jefferson and Barrow County).”
Crews will be working between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. as the weather permits. Traffic in the designated areas will be stopped by flaggers, and a pilot vehicle will lead drivers through the work zones.
Project construction is expected to cost around $961,000, which is being fully funded by the federal government — meaning no matching local or state funds are necessary.
To date, more than $48 billion in ARRA funds have been used nationwide to improve transportation infrastructure; of that amount, $340 million has been spent in Georgia alone. Around $2.3 million has been spent in Hall County on two separate resurfacing projects — one on Mount Vernon Road and one on U.S. 129. A third Hall County stimulus project is planned on Ga. 365, but a start date has not been set yet.