Effingham County commissioners have approved, by a split vote, a feasibility study of a pathway between Springfield and Guyton on Highway 119.

Commissioners approved the study, which will look at possible non-motorized routes and transportation modes, by a 4-2 vote. The pathways, which will be off the roads, could include sidewalks and most likely will be asphalt.

“This will be something to connect to the two cities,” said county planning director George Shaw.

The study is in coordination with the state Department of Transportation and the study will last through the spring. The cost to the county for the study is nothing, Shaw said.

“If and when the study is done and the county decides it’s a good idea, then we spend money,” he said.

The money the state has reserved for the feasibility study can’t be used for any other purpose, Shaw explained.

“This money will go to another feasibility study,” he said. “It won’t go to road paving.”

The 119 pathway came as a recommendation from the Savannah Metropolitan Planning Organization’s transportation arm.

“From the standpoint of picking the best pathway project in the county, this is probably it,” County Administrator David Crawley said.

The county, if it opts to pursue the study’s findings, would have to work on intersection design guidelines and the right route to take. The engineering and surveying on widening Highway 119 from Springfield to Guyton has been done, Crawley added.

“But it’s sitting on a shelf until the DoT gets money,” he said.

Commissioners also approved a contract with the state Environmental Protection Division to conduct microbiological analysis of the county’s drinking water. The county has a pact with the state EPD for chemical testing but the state is now charging for the microbiological analysis. The county will send seven samples a month, at $12 per sample, to be tested, for a cost of just over $1,000.

County engineer Steve Liotta said there isn’t room at the wastewater treatment plant, where the county has some testing capabilities, to conduct the needed microbiological analysis. But should the plant be expanded, that space could be provided. There also isn’t the volume of testing to do to warrant the additional laboratory space now.