The McDonough Parkway Final Segment Can Begin Construction

Henry County has approved a construction contract to build the final segment of McDonough Parkway. When complete, this will finish a long-awaited bypass around downtown McDonough.

The north segment of McDonough Parkway is between state routes 42 and 155. Construction will include a new bridge over highway 155.

McDonough Parkway Final Segment

Ideas to build a bypass around McDonough date back a generation. Sections of the parkway have slowly opened. Most recently, the road between Jonesboro Road and highway 42 built in 2008–09.

Though not yet open, another section is complete from Georgia 20 to Henry Parkway. This is beside the county offices. Henry County built it in the last few years. Georgia DOT will open this section as part of the ongoing Georgia 20 widening.

Now, construction can commence on the parkway’s final segment. Henry County approved the construction contract at the April 9, 2024 board meeting. Southeastern Site Development, Inc. of Newnan, GA won the contract. They submitted the lowest bid of six vendors. The construction cost equals $14,533,953.28.

The contractor has 18 months to build the project. Work includes about one mile of new roadway, as well as the new bridge. The bridge will be over highway 155 at Turner Church Road. The project should be complete by Christmas 2025.

First T-SPLOST Project to Start Construction

Henry County transportation SPLOST funds will pay for the work. Voters approved T-SPLOST in November 2021. To support the project, the board also approved a budget amendment worth $1 million dollars. This will come from T-SPLOST tax collections.

This is the first T-SPLOST project to advance to construction. A second T-SPLOST project, to widen Rock Quarry Road, will accept construction bids in fall 2024.

Henry County SPLOST IV, spanning collections from 2014 to 2020, also contributed to the project. The county used $1.6 million in SPLOST IV funds. These funds paid for design and right of way costs. The county’s project engineer, Kimley-Horn, was originally hired in 2010.

Featured image shows a concept layout for the McDonough Parkway extension. Henry County photo.