State DOT provides grant funds for county roads

Henry County accepted grant funds from Georgia DOT during the board’s June 2 meeting. The funding will provide new striping and pavement markers on county roads.

Georgia DOT is providing Henry County with $209,418.28 for county road safety improvements. The funding comes from the 2021 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) Safety Action Plan. The grant requires a 30% local match. This amount worth $62,825.48 is available in the DOT striping budget.

County Roads

Georgia DOT identified five county roads to receive the safety improvements. In addition, Henry County staff added other roads to utilize the max grant amount. The added roads also provide for improvements in each district.

Georgia DOT included the following roads within the grant funding:

• Jodeco Road between Hudson Bridge Road and Chambers Road.
• Chambers Road from SR 81 to Mount Carmel Road, then Jonesboro Road to Jodeco Road.
• McCullough Road between Jonesboro Road and Chambers Road.
• East Atlanta Road from Old Conyers Road to Fairview Road.
• McGarity Road between state route 20 and Airline Road.

Henry County staff added the following:

• Old Jackson Road from state route 81 to the Butts County line.
• East Lake Road between SR 155 and Airline Road.
• Brannan Road (full length).
• Hemphill Road from Flat Rock Road to SR 138.
• Springdale Road between Brannan Road and Millers Mill Road.
• Rock Quarry Road from Eagles Landing Parkway to Hospital Drive.

The roadways total 32.4 miles. County staff are planning new striping — generally thermoplastic — and raised pavement markers along the roads. Funds can also go towards new signage where needed. The grant requires staff to begin work by June 30, 2021.

LMIG Program

The LMIG program traditionally provides grant funds for resurfacing. The safety dollars are in addition to the county’s regular allotment.

This year, Henry County used the LMIG dollars as a small part of a historic resurfacing contract. In April, commissioners approved a $27.4 million dollar contract for roadwork. The resurfacing contract — believed to be the largest in county history — includes 96 roads.

E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. of Snellville, GA won the contract. Because of the work volume, they have 540 days (18 months) to complete the project. Visit here for a list of included roadways.

Featured image shows new striping applied to I-75. Photo credit Georgia DOT.