Work on Old Augusta Road phase 1 is nearing the end of the road as blacktop has begun to be poured, and phase 2’s work may not be far off, Effingham County commissioners learned.

The county is beginning to discuss needed right-of-way acquisitions for phase 2, which would go from Chimney Road to Fort Howard Road.

“We could be under contract in December or January with the schedule we have,” county project manager Adam Kobek said.

County commissioners will meet with Bobby Parham, the 13th District representative on the state transportation board. Representatives from Moreland Altobelli also are expected to be at the meeting as commissioners will discuss the Effingham Parkway. They also hope to have a concept of the Effingham Parkway approved by Chatham County by then, and they also will discuss other projects.

The Effingham Industrial Development Authority is continuing to look at the proposed east-west connector through its Research Forest Tract and how that road would connect with Highway 21. Engineers from Hussey, Gay, Bell and DeYoung said they would need traffic counts and traffic projections concurrently as a master transportation plan is developed for the RFT.

Engineers told the IDA they want to develop a transportation plan that can be changed as the massive tract is developed.

“As you build this up piece by piece,” HGBD’s Bill Nicholson told IDA members, “you keep amending the plan. As each parcel is developed, you’ll have to amend your plan.”