There was an armed guard at the Putnam County Administration building Tuesday evening, but there were no demonstrations, sit-down protests, gunfire, or food fights.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) held its first open house since 2020, showing off its latest plans for the controversial $184-million project to widen Highway 44 in Greene and Putnam counties.
Very detailed maps of the entire 10.5-mile highway stretch from just north of Interstate 20 to just south of the Harmony/Old Phoenix Road intersection were displayed around the large room.
A sizable crowd showed up, most quickly moving to the map displaying their home or business about the road widening project. GDOT had experts scattered throughout, answering questions.
The project started planning in the 1990s to address the anticipated increase in population and traffic in the Lake Oconee area by expanding the entire road from two to four lanes. At the same time, it has faced increasing opposition to the plan.
Citizens groups fear that widening the road will bring more traffic to an area that many people find attractive as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Businesses oppose plans to four-lane the road and install raised medians with only a few breaks because it would significantly limit customers’ access to their property. They suggest adding only a third turn lane, but GDOT has held firm to plan for four lanes with medians.
GDOT has been accommodating over the last decade. The original project would have extended to Eatonton with a connection to US 441, which has recently been changed to four lanes. That was dropped because of public and political pressure from rural residents along the route.
GDOT also agreed to a citizens group’s request to add roundabouts to replace traffic lights at major intersections. Five roundabouts were added to the plans for Carey Station Road, Linger Longer Road, Merchant Street, Scott Road, and the entrance to Harmony Crossing shopping center.
The only significant change in the plan presented at Tuesday’s Open House was adding a sixth roundabout at the Richland Connector.
Other minor changes include stamped, red-colored concrete in the medians of roundabouts. Also, GDOT plans to add sidewalk sod beauty strips in non-rural areas and is working with the counties to develop and maintain landscaping along the road.
There were questions about the bridge over Lake Oconee between Putnam and Greene counties. It will ultimately be replaced entirely. GDOT vows to keep two lanes open at all times as it widens the structure's west side, eventually moving traffic onto that new section before demolishing and replacing the existing bridge.
Also, the left turn from Highway 44 north into St. Mary’s Hospital will be eliminated. Emergency vehicles will continue into the new roundabout at Carey Station Road and enter the hospital from the back entrance, which is closer to the emergency room.
GDOT says it is ready to start moving utilities for construction as soon as eight months from now for the first part of the three-phase project. Phase one runs from around I-20 to King Road and is expected to take two years. Phase two runs from King Drive to Carey Station Road.
\Current projections are for it to start in early 2026 and finish four years later. The last and longest phase runs from Carey Station to Harmony/Phoenix Road. It includes all six roundabouts and is projected to take five years after it starts in early 2027.
Anyone who has lived in the area for a while knows these projections are subject to change.