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Published Monday, February 06, 2012 in Local
Photo by Jeffrey Leo
Work on the Hwy. 34 Bypass/ Millard Farmer Industrial Boulevard widening in recent months has progressed to include the end at Bullsboro Drive.
Hwy. 34 Bypass: Another six months needed to complete widening job
The Newnan Times-Herald
Approximately six more months are needed for the completion of the widening of the Highway 34 Bypass/ Millard Farmer Industrial Boulevard between Bullsboro Drive and Carrollton Highway/Temple Avenue, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The original completion date for the project was Dec. 31, 2011. A supplemental agreement extended the contract until Jan. 27, said Kimberly Larson, regional spokeswoman for GDOT.
"It will likely require another extension of approximately six months to complete the work," Larson said on Thursday.
"Delays were caused by several plan revisions, erosion control issues, a sub-contractor going out of business during the course of the work and a replacement firm having to be secured to do that work, and weather," Larson said.
"The contractor still has paving, concrete work, signing and marking, and signal work left to do," Larson said.
There will also be additional retaining wall construction, because of the plan revisions.
Larson was asked for additional details about the delay -- and whether the project can truly be completed within six months -- but had not responded as of Friday evening.
Work on the bypass widening project began in August 2009 at the Carrollton Highway end of the bypass segment. In recent months work had progressed to the Bullsboro end.
Once complete, the bypass will be a four-lane divided highway with raised median and bike lanes. Closed circuit televisions and an intersection video detection system will also be installed as part of the project.
The contractor is Sunbelt Structures and the original contract amount was $23,196,355.
The project was divided into two phases: Jefferson Parkway to Carrollton Highway, and Jefferson Parkway to Bullsboro. But the phases are being constructed as one project.
Workers have recently been doing utility work at the intersection of the bypass and Bullsboro Drive.
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Put a rush I the road work. With the bypass and Miller famers rd. Bullsbro rd
CMI feel as a taxpayer. Its. Taken. Way too long!
Posted by Douglas Stearns at 10:41 AM
Well hopefully the "trainees" aren't responsible for building the railroad overpass. Billy you are so right though, alot of manpower standing around when you drive by those crews during work hours, kind of makes you wonder if this contractor bit off more than they could chew, happens sometimes when they are the lowest bidder.
Posted by Robert at 9:43 PM
Considering no one really use that much of the bypass late at night. Why not get some night work done?
Posted by DJ at 8:50 PM
Let's de-fund further ridiculous wastes of taxpayer money such as this by voting "no" on T-Splost next month.
Posted by JiJi at 7:58 PM
CWM wasn't on the 85 project, Archer was (southern portion). CWM did Bullsboro and 29 recently.
Either way, people should be THANKFUL there haven't been worse delays. In my home state, they would have simply shut down the road for a year, or made you drive on gravel. I drive the bypass daily and have found very little "new" delays. I say new because 29/bypass has always been bad at certain times/areas, and especially if you didn't hit the sensor in time!
Overall, they have done a fairly good job on the project, convenience wise that is. Well, except for the inevitable delay of xx months.
Thanks for keeping us updated NTH.
Posted by Bypass driver at 7:23 PM
CWM was not the contractor on I85 where the issues arrived. It was a company from Iowa that never built a project such as I85 before. And it shows with all the concrete grinding they did.
Posted by Dewecheatem at 6:47 PM
They just didn't say WHAT year.
Posted by Jake at 4:23 PM
...because this is Georgia and the type of incompetence exhibited by the GDOT is the norm at this point. If all you expect is a failure, then it's not so bad. I'm just surprised that a contractor that knew they might go out of business would sign up for the project (unless business was good before they declared bankruptcy).
Posted by Newnan Born at 3:53 PM
Billy, These gentlemen could be "in training". Gotta start somewhere.
Posted by Lynn43 at 2:59 PM
The construction delays wouldn't be that much of a problem if they would just adjust the light at 29 and the Bypass. It takes 3 cycles of the light or more to get past the Food Lion there. (i know, its closed) The turn arrows are too long.
Posted by Rob at 2:19 PM
They really need to hurry up, and fix that bypass. It's very dangerous. And for people that's not familar with Coweta County it's confusing
Posted by Kierra Watson at 1:53 PM
From the looks of it the company working on the Bypass may not even be in the highway construction business, when I drive by and see them all standing around watching one guy work it seems like they are all going through on the job training if you ask me.
Posted by Billy at 1:34 PM
It's kind of funny to have folks singing the praise of CWM when we had the same complaints during the I85 project. The problem is that this is a state project rather than a local project. City and County roads usually get done on time and without too many problems. Let it involve a state highway and all bets are off. I believe T-Splost will assist mostly LOCAL projects and I will vote to support it.
Posted by Get Real at 1:16 PM
Is anyone commenting here in the highway construction business? Unless you are, then what you see is how it affects you-not the reasons behind the delays. Yes, it is inconvenient and frustrating, but what you see is not what is causing the delay behind the scenes.
Posted by Lynn43 at 1:05 PM
Very concerned about this delay. Until the last few weeks, the primary contractor, Sunbelt Structures, seemed to do a good job of tending to the upkeep of the intersections such as Hillwood circle. However, it appears that Sunbelt has pulled out much of its crews and the connecting roads are now very rough and rutted. This needs to be be addressed ASAP. Also, GDOT and the primary contractors need to schedule a meeting with those affected by this delay very soon. It is sad that we must hear about this delay only via the newspaper. This is one reason why so many are frustrated with government.
Posted by Peter H Mullins at 12:54 PM
My mother who is 86 often comments weather she'll live long enough to see this road finished. I'm 54, I'm beginning to wonder the same thing.
Posted by John at 12:52 PM
Who knew Coweta was so blessed with so many Armchair Highway Contractors and Engineers
2/6/2012
Wow you folks sure know so much about building roads and how things are supposed to get done...why don't you lend your expertise and help this project move forward.
Todd...I agree with you but it was a low bid contract...CW was too high.
Greg...penalties are always included on contracts of this size...but lawyers will fight it and it usually gets reduced or thrown out.
Ed...there are little to no competent engineers "in house".
Govt. Watcher...so if we ignore the congestion due to volume will it go away on its own?
Billy...your are absolutely right.
Lastly...this project was once again delayed by utility companies...remeber folks these utility companies have their lines within the right of way at no charge they are required to move them accordingly when necessary...as in a road project...they do not like to have to pay to move their lines...so they relocate their lines at a pace they chose and unfortunatley there isn't too much you and I can do about it.
Posted by Bubba at 12:40 PM
I doubt it will be done in 6 months. I drive on the bypass everyday and don't ever see anyone working on it.
Posted by Dave at 11:34 AM
This would be the same gov't that wants T-SPLOST...so they can make more delays and obstruction for us. I don't think so. NO T-SPLOST.
Posted by Govt watcher at 11:30 AM
The modern trend in road improvement project management seems to be to place a high priority on keeping the existing traffic moving while expansion is under way. That by itsself adds a tremendous amount of cost and inefficiency to any project. With that in mind, the contractors can only use part of a normal sized crew and equipment thus prolonging the completion. In recent years a number of states appear to be relying on outside engineering and design companies rather than in-house engineers. Among the results; meetings, meetings, meetings, delays, delays, delays and of course an inconvenienced public.
Posted by ED R at 11:27 AM
Maybe I'm wrong but didnt I-85 get widened for miles and miles in less time????? Might need to call those guys up and get this done. Traffic in marietta is better then in Newnan now...
Posted by confused at 11:21 AM
What a joke - I drive it daily and it gets worse instead of better. weather is a lame excuse - more like 5 people standing ariound watching 1 person work. Poorly planned and even worse execution. Hopefully there is a penalty for delays and not finishing on time. Another DGOT fiasco - just like I-85. Someone needs to be fired
Posted by Greg at 11:09 AM
I do not see how very many stores will be able to hang on another 6 months.It has been so bad that most people do not want to try and dodge the big trucks to get into my store.My driveway needs a four wheel drive to get up it. NOT GOOD!!!
Posted by scott at 11:05 AM
That's my guess for when this will be completed at the pace it's moving. Maybe they should consider adding some overnight work to get this done, more often than not I see alot of idle machinery when driving through there, maybe they need more workers.....or more competent ones.
Posted by Billy at 10:43 AM
It would have been a little more expensive, but C.W. Mathews should have been hired for this ... It would have been done already because they KNOW what they're doing!
Posted by Todd at 9:44 AM
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Bypass/Miller Farmers Rd.
2/8/2012
Link To This Comment
As I live in a small subdivision off of the BYPASS/Miller Farmer near the intersection of Hwy 29 -It will be a great improvement when the Bypass can be finished! Hopeing this will Cut down the CUT THROUGH Traffic in the Harpers Farm Subdivision. A place where Children live and play and CARS/TRUCKS/Buses FLY on a Subdivision street!! TK U
Posted by Belinda L. Crissman at 6:43 PM