The Georgia Department of Transportation recently awarded new contracts for projects in the agency’s east-central district.

The largest contract, valued at $43.91 million, will widen about 6.5 miles of US 441/State Route 31 in Laurens County, between State Route 46 and S Poplar Springs Church Road. Griffin Grading and Concrete, LLC has been awarded the project. A completion date of September 30, 2029 has been given.

The existing two-lane roadway will be widened to a four-lane divided roadway with a 32-foot grass median. Additionally, a roundabout will be constructed at US 441/SR 31 and SR 46.

This project is part of an effort to widen US 441 throughout the state. US 441 is one of Georgia’s Governor’s Road Improvement Program (GRIP) corridors. This system of economic development highways enhances mobility and supports safer, more efficient movements for emergency responders, trucks, and the community. When complete, 98 percent of Georgia’s population will be within 20 miles of a four-lane road.

In Laurens County, a project to widen US 441 from just south of State Route 117 to Interstate 16 is under construction. Additional projects in Laurens County are going through pre-construction and are scheduled to be awarded in the coming years. Earlier this year, Georgia DOT finished widening US 441 between I-16 and I-20.

In Emanuel County, Reeves Construction Company has been awarded a $5.28 million project to resurface about 14 miles of State Route 192, between US 80/State Route 26 and State Route 56. Additionally, the entirety of State Route 23 Spur (5th Avenue in Twin City) will be resurfaced as part of this contract. A completion date of August 31, 2027 has been given.

In Putnam County, Gregory Bridge Company has been awarded a $2.23 million project to construct a bridge on Martins Mill Road at Little River. The existing bridge at this location, built in 1940, is substandard. The new bridge will be built in place of the existing bridge to minimize right-of-way and environmental impacts. The existing bridge will be closed, and traffic will be detoured using an offsite detour. A start date for the closure has not been determined. A completion date of September 30, 2027 has been given.

In Jefferson County, Reeves Construction Company has been awarded a $1.08 million project to make safety enhancements on Zebina Road, between Middle Ground Road and Washington Street. The project will add new striping, signage, and raised pavement markers to the route. Additionally, the shoulder will be widened by two feet. A completion date of August 31, 2027 has been given.