This is a SPLOST project to improve the Skidaway Ferguson/Norwood Avenue intersection. This project includes an upgrade of the existing traffic signal, drainage and sidewalks on both sides of Skidaway Road. The Concept Plan for this project is attached below for review. 

Also attached is a copy of written comments received during the Public Information Open House (PIOH) comment period with responses. We thank everyone that attended the meeting and/or offered comments.

Surveying the project area is completed with final engineering underway. Right of way acquisition is scheduled in the first half of 2023. Construction is to begin in 2024

This is a project to rebuild the existing two lanes on Little Neck Road between U.S. 17/Ogeechee Road and the Landfill Entrance just northwest of I-95. The reconstruction will allow for a future four lane section between U.S. 17 and I-95 to be built at a later date. The current reconstruction project will include additional lanes between U.S. 17 and Al Henderson Boulevard with a raised center median and a path on each side. The path on the southeast side of the road will continue about one and a half miles from U.S. 17. The concept plans are provided here for your review. Construction will begin after right of way acquisition is complete, most likely in the fall of 2023.

The Georgia Department of Transportation issued Notice to Proceed to Prince Contracting, LLC to begin construction on the replacement bridges on February 2, 2018.  Construction is underway.  Traffic was shifted to the new bridge in July, 2022. The construction of Bridge 2 and removal of the existing bascule bridges are underway. The current schedule is to complete Bridge 2 in 2024.

This project will include roadway widening and operational improvements to intersections, drainage features, and pedestrian facilities along a 2.6-mile-long segment of Quacco Road between I-95 and US 17/ Ogeechee Road.  The roadway widening will consist of two 12-foot lanes, a flush center median and turn lanes at various locations.  Pedestrian facilities will be a large part of the improvements for this project. A 10-foot shared use path will be along the north side and a 5-foot sidewalk will be along the south side and will include bus terminals for the CAT bus route that currently services the area. 

The project was split into two phases for constructon. Phase 1 included the improvements at the intersection of Quacco Roadand U.S. 17. Phase 1 improvements are complete.  Phase 2 will include the widening of Quacco Road between I-95 and the intersection with U.S. 17.  A Contract for Clearing for Phase 2 will go out for bid in March of 2023.

Unincorporated Chatham County has approximately 350 miles of roads to maintain.  SPLOST law was changed with the enactment of Sales Tax V that allowed for the resurfacing of existing roadways.  The State provides the County with Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds each year that we use for resurfacing of roads. The LMIG program requires that for each 70 cents of State LMIG funds, the County provide 30 cents of local SPLOST funds. This total amount is then generally used to determine how much resurfacing is completed each year.  The Department of Engineering hired a company in 2022 that has recently driven all of our paved roads with a van equipped with cameras, lasers and various detection devices that record and measure each crack and pothole. From this data, they will provide us with a report of the condition of each road. The contract also includes a five year maintenace plan to help us determine which roads to resurface first and recommend other maintenance activities to help us manage and maintain our roadway pavements. We expect the final report to be completed by the end of 2023. 

Attached to your left you will find a list of roads for resurfacing in 2023.

This operational improvement project will shift the connection between Islands Expressway and Oatland Island Road on the north side and add turn lanes to improve the function and safety of the intersection. Please see the attached concept display that shows the proposed changes. Due to construction bids that were double the engineers estimate, the project will be rebid at a later date.

A new traffic signal and improvements at the intersection of Johnny Mercer Boulevard and Lyman Hall Road. Final design and right of way acquisition are underway. Construction is anticipated in Spring 2023.

A short section of concrete wall as well as revetment mats and rip rap are proposed to stabilize the shoulders of Walthour Road adjacent to Betz Creek. The improvements will also include sidewalk on the west side of Walthour Road. This project will require closure of Walthour Road for several months to complete construction. Construction is anticipated to begin in the first half of 2023. Advanced notice of the road closure will be provided with Message Boards and Media. 

This project will upgrade deteriorated portions of the Robert McCorkle Trail on Wilmington Island with a new concrete surface. A construction contract was awarded to Curb and Gutter Professionals on December 3, 2021. This concrete construction is completed. Additionally, pedistrian crossing improvements are being evaluated for implementation along the trail. 

A project is proposed to construct improvements at the existing intersection of Johnny Mercer Boulevard at Walthour Road to improve the safety and efficiency of the intersection. A single lane roundabout was the recommended solution from an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) Study and was the preferred solution of the residents who attended or submitted comments for the Public Information Open House held in April.  A total of 50 comments were received. Of those, 41 were in favor of the roundabout, 3 preferred a traffic signal and 6 preferred either nothing or alternate solutions. The main reason given for the majority vote for the roundabout was that it would allow traffic to keep moving without delay during off peak hours. Other reasons noted were the increased safety and lower long term cost. Other alternatives suggested were a right turn lane on Walthour Road or a three way stop. Both of these options would provide some temporary relief in the short term but would not address other project goals for safety or access to Mayer Avenue and would still require a roundabout in the long term. Please see the attached exhibit of the proposed roundabout.

A topographic survey has been completed so that construction plans can be developed to build a single lane roundabout that will accommodate truck traffic and provide accessibility for pedestrians and bicycles. Approximately one year will be needed for preliminary design and another year for right of way acquisition, final design and permitting. Construction is tenatively scheduled to begin in early 2025 and will take 12 to 18 months to complete.

This is a project to construct a new sidewalk/path along Highway 80 from Johnny Mercer Boulevard to Whitemarsh Village Way. It will provide connectivity from the schools and commercial area to the adjacent neighborhoods and apartment complex.  Final design, right of way acquisition and permitting through the Georgia Department of Transportation are underway. Construction is anticipated to begin in the first half of 2023.

A Public Information Open House for Traffic Calming on Lansing Avenue was held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. A display with a new proposed solution to slow traffic down and keep the road open is available here. Seven speed tables will be installed along the length of Lansing Avenue with signage. The speed tables will provide a compromise solution that will mitigate speeding traffic on Lansing Avenue while providing full access for emergency vehicles. The speed tables and signs will be installed and the road re-opened to traffic in April or May of 2023.

Upgrades will be made to the interchange at I-16 and State Route 17 through a partnership between Chatham County and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Chatham County will sponser the preliminary engineering and GDOT will manage construction. The project will widen or replace the existing bridge over I-16 and ramps to accommodate additional traffic volumes to keep the interchange functioning at an acceptable level through 2050. Concept design is underway to determine the best alternative design. Construction is anticipated in 2026.

This project will improve Chevis Road between U.S. 17/Ogeechee Road and Wild Heron Road. The purpose of the project is to improve safety and connectivity for all road users to existing schools, commercial areas, bus stops and neighborhoods. This project will be partially funded with your local SPLOST dollars as well as with federal tax dollars. During the concept phase we will consider what safety, operational and pedestrian improvements will best fit the corridor. The project will also consider bicycles, drainage, lighting and water quality improvements. 

Stakeholder meetings and at least one public information open house will be held during this process so that you will have an opportunity to provide input and look at what improvements we are considering. The initial studies will take place in 2022/2023. Concept layouts will be available after stakeholder meetings at the public information open house and on this web site when available.  The overall schedule includes design of the selected improvements in 2023, right of way acquisition in 2024 and construction beginning as early as 2025.

Garrard Avenue Public Information Open House was held on November 3, 2022. Please see the concept layout, handout information and a response letter that addresses the public comments we received concerning the project under Documents on the left.  This project will make improvements to Garrard Avenue and Lane Avenue between Chatham Parkway and Gamble Road. The project is funded with local SPLOST funds and federal funds. The purpose of the project is to improve safety and connectivity for all road users along the corridor. Our consultants looked at traffic, environmental features and performed survey in early 2022 and we met with local stakeholders and held the open house in the second half of 2022.  The concept report and layout were submitted to the Georgia Departent of Transportation for approval.  Once approval of the concept is gained, preliminary plans will be designed by the consultant. The overall schedule includes design of construction plans in 2023 based on the approved concept plan, right of way acquisition in 2024 and construction in 2025.