Effingham County commissioners will support the construction of a roundabout at Fort Howard and Old Augusta roads.
Commissioners approved an indication of support, even though the state Department of Transportation has not asked for one yet.
“I’m trying to be proactive,” said County Administrator Toss Allen. “I want us to go on record we support the GDOT moving forward.”
The state will require an indication of support for the project at some point, and the county is willing to accept the costs for any energy used for lighting and for landscaping. Allen said the district traffic engineer has forwarded the request to the state headquarters for any off-system money that can be used, such as the GDOT’s Quick Response or local maintenance improvement grants.
“There’s not even a traffic study on it yet,” Allen said.
Allen said the county is willing to take on the engineering for the roundabout. There are no right-of-way issues and there are no utilities to be relocated.
“We’re trying to get plans drawn and we’re looking to get money,” Allen said.
Commissioners also approved providing the funding to cover the energy, maintenance and operations of lighting to be installed at a roundabout at Highway 275 and Rincon-Stillwell Road. The state DOT will install the lights.
The state DOT plans to turn the intersection into a roundabout, but that may not happen soon.
“It is still a ways off,” Allen said.
An additional work authorization for EMC Engineering on the Courthouse Road Extension improvements also was approved. Allen explained lots along the road have been subdivided, fences have been put up and driveways have been put in.
The county contracted with EMC three years ago to accomplish topographical surveys in preparation for improving the stretch of road.
“This is a project we’ve been working on for quite a while,” Allen said.
The additional work under the contract is projected at $13,100. The project’s budget is part of the short-term work program.
EMC will update the route survey along the 1.3 mile-long road, and the survey will be updated based on new title information the county will provide. The firm also will update the location of house, fences and other structures put up since the original survey.
EMC also perform delineations of wetlands, streams and state waters. It was determined that some of the construction will impact wetlands after preliminary paving, grading and drainage design was done. A jurisdictional delineation determination and permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be needed to complete the project.
“We’re getting to a point where the plans are almost done,” Allen said.
Once the surveys are updated, negotiations with property owners may have to take place, and the county will hire someone for that work.
