GDOT awards $27 million in area road projects

TIFTON — The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded $27 million in contracts for southwest Georgia projects that include Interstate 75 resurfacing and interstate overpass preservation to help extend the life of 15 bridges.

The projects were advertised for bids in February and awarded in early March. Statewide, GDOT awarded 35 contracts for construction projects totaling $88.5 million.

Southwest Georgia claimed the largest transportation investment in the February awards with 18.8 miles of resurfacing on I-75 valued at $19.8 million. The project begins south of Southwell Boulevard in Tift County and ends south of state Route 32/Jefferson Davis Highway in Turner County. The contract was awarded to Reames and Son Construction Co. Inc. of Valdosta. The completion date is January 31, 2017.

Another project is aimed at preserving I-75 overpasses in Lowndes, Cook and Tift counties. The work will consist of co-polymer overlaying bridge decks and replacing joint material. A bridge deck expands in heat and contracts in the cold and those temperature changes that can cause cracks to form on the surface. Traffic, especially heavy trucks, can also stress the deck. The overlay helps protect the deck from water damage and provides a non-skid surface that withstands continuous heavy traffic and extreme changes in weather conditions. Expansion joints allow the bridge to move and flex with changing traffic and weather conditions. The $1.3 million contract was awarded to RAM Construction Services of Michigan Inc. The scheduled completion date is Jan. 31, 2017.

Other improvements coming to southwest Georgia roads are:

• A maintenance project to resurface 20.8 miles on U.S. 82/SR 50 beginning at SR 1 Business in Randolph County and ending at U.S. 82/SR 520 in Terrell County. Oxford Construction Co. of Albany was awarded the $4.57 million project and the scheduled completion date is Jan. 31, 2017.

• A safety project to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes at the intersection of U.S. 319/SR 35 at Indian Lake Drive in Colquitt County. Eight crashes at the location were reported to Georgia DOT from 2011 through 2013. The $1.48 million project includes turn lane improvements. Oxford Construction Co. of Albany was awarded the contract and the scheduled completion date is Dec. 31, 2016.