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Thurmon Tanner project may go to Monroe contractor
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A Monroe contractor has been named as the apparent low bidder for the last leg of a planned extension of Thurmon Tanner Parkway, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said Friday.

Gary’s Grading and Pipeline Co. submitted the lowest bid out of 11 bidders on the project Friday, spokesman Mark McKinnon said.

The Monroe company offered to extend Thurmond Tanner Parkway from Plainview Road to Mundy Mill Road at Zaxby’s and United Community Bank for a little more than $6.77 million, McKinnon said.

The extension will allow travel from Atlanta Highway to Spout Springs Road without using Interstate 985, said Teri Pope, DOT communications officer. Years ago, Flowery Branch, Oakwood and Hall County officials approached the DOT about constructing the road to help move industrial traffic in the area, Pope said.

"It also helps us, because if there’s a problem on (Interstate) 985 this is a parallel route we can use as a detour," Pope said.

DOT already has finished construction on two other portions of Thurmon Tanner Parkway, and the portion out for bid Friday, which will connect the road from Plainview Road to Mundy Mill Road, is the last leg of the project, Pope said.

"This is the gap piece, the piece that’s not open yet," Pope said.

McKinnon said the department will have to review the bid, and it could be a few weeks before the DOT officially accepts it.