Right of way acquisition now can begin officially on the Spout Springs Road widening project in South Hall.

The Hall County Board of Commissioners voted Thursday on a right of way contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation, committing some $12.7 million for the effort, with funding coming from the county’s special purpose local option sales tax revenue.

Buying needed property is the first major step toward widening the heavily traveled road — the first phase taking place between Hog Mountain Road and Union Circle.

The project will affect part or all of 143 residential and 18 commercial properties along that stretch.

Construction, costing $32 million, could start in 2019.

The second phase, expected to cost $26 million, would run from Union Circle to Gwinnett County line, with right of way acquisition planned for 2019.