The County Hires a Design Firm for Mill Road Widening, Phase II

Henry County hired an engineering company to design a future widening project. The Mill Road widening, phase II, extends between Peachtree Peddler’s flea market and highway 81.

The first phase of widening Mill Road, between Jonesboro Road and the flea market, is presently buying right of way.

Mill Road widening, phase II

Henry County approved hiring Transystems Corporation of Atlanta for Mill Road. Board approval occurred at the June 25 meeting.

Specifically, the company will handle scoping services. This is the first step on a road widening project. Some aspects of scoping include the following:

• Collect traffic counts and develop the project concept,
• Review intersections and the corridor to recommend the preferred improvement(s), and
• Prepare a concept report for state DOT review & approval.

Final engineering work would follow later, when funding is available.

The county received 12 proposals from interested vendors. Transystems was the highest-scoring proposal after staff’s review. They will complete the scoping work at a cost of $742 thousand. Federal funds will contribute $600 thousand. The county must pay the difference.

The Atlanta Regional Commission estimated the cost to widen Mill Road at $23.75 million. Subsequent funding will be necessary to advance the project past scoping.

Mill Road, Phase I

Closer to Jonesboro Road, the first phase of widening Mill Road is in right of way acquisition. The project extends between Jonesboro Road and the flea market. Design work for the first phase began in January 2022. The project progressed into right of way in November 2023. As of May 2024, one parcel had been acquired.

Henry County transportation SPLOST, approved by voters in 2021, allocated $5 million for the project.

Also in T-SPLOST, Henry County will be widening a portion of Jonesboro Road. The project is from Mill Road to North Mt. Carmel Road. The upcoming SPLOST VI referendum is contemplating other widening projects along the corridor.

Featured image shows Jonesboro Road at Mill Road. Clayton Carte photo.