Henry County continues its preparations for the upcoming Rock Quarry Road widening project. This month, the county commissioners approved the project’s utility relocation costs.
At this time, construction bids are planned for a January 2025 letting. Road work could then begin next spring.
Rock Quarry Road Widening
Henry County has an upcoming project to widen Rock Quarry Road between SR 138 / North Henry Blvd and Eagles Landing Pkwy. The project will expand the roadway from its current two lanes to four lanes. There will be a twenty-foot raised center median. In addition, the project will construct a 10’ shared-use path on the east side of the roadway and a 5’ sidewalk on the west side. This will support both pedestrians and cyclists.
Finally, Rock Quarry Road at Hospital Drive will have a new traffic signal for improved access to Piedmont Henry Hospital. The hospital began construction this year on a major expansion.
Rock Quarry Road Utility Relocation Costs
Several utility providers must relocate a portion of their facilities because of the road widening project. The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved on Tuesday, August 20, three cost estimates for this work. The county will reimburse utility companies for expenses incurred. Specifically, the county approved the following:
- a cost estimate from Henry County Water Authority worth $1,773,985,
- the cost estimate from Georgia Power for $5,588,187, and
- a cost estimate from Georgia Transmission Corporation worth $1,740,000,
- for a total cost of $9,102,172.
By comparison, Georgia DOT’s most-recent cost estimate for utilities was $9.4 million.
Upcoming Construction Bid
At the time of writing, Rock Quarry Road is scheduled to accept construction bids in January 2025. The project was, however, expected to accept bids in September. Georgia DOT made a late adjustment to the project schedule. Schedule adjustments are not uncommon by the state before a project goes out for bid, if the project is awaiting any final approvals. This can be right of way acquisition or environmental permits for example. The reason for this particular delay was not immediately available.
The Henry County SPLOST Department has been the lead sponsor on the project. The county will accept the construction bids, instead of the state. This is different from most state projects. Local funds, alongside federal dollars, are paying for the project.
If the project remains on the January letting calendar, then the county could consider approving a contract perhaps as early as February. Road work typically starts about two to three months after the contract award. Construction is estimated to last two years.
When construction starts, Rock Quarry Road will become the second major T-SPLOST project to break ground. The first major T-SPLOST project, the McDonough Parkway North Bypass, started land clearing in July 2024. Several other T-SPLOST projects may also start construction in 2025.
Project Funding
Henry County has collaborated with Georgia DOT since 2017 on the Rock Quarry Road project. A combination of local and federal dollars have paid for design and right of way costs. The local dollars have come from SPLOST IV, SPLOST V, and, finally, T-SPLOST. Here is a cost-breakdown:
The latest construction cost estimate was $38.1 million. The upcoming bids will determine this final amount.
Featured image shows Rock Quarry Road at Hospital Drive. Google Streetview photo.
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