Deal: GDOT will pay majority of costs
Departments of transportation from Tennessee (TDOT) and Georgia (GDOT) have signed an agreement to work together on the project they have titled the “SR 5 Connector.”
Often referred to as the McCaysville bypass, the work involves the portion of the State Route 5 improvements that will take northbound travelers from Blue Ridge Drive on Harpertown Hill in McCaysville, across Schoolhouse Hill, over the Ocoee River and connect to State Route 68 in Copperhill.
Georgia State Representative Johnny Chastain (R-Blue Ridge) said he is, “Extremely glad to get this agreement so we can move forward with the Highway 5 project. I know it’s a high priority with GDOT to make significant progress for the rest of this year and in 2025.”
Tennessee Representative Dan Howell (R-Cleveland) acknowledged the agreement has been in the works for several months.
The seven page document, provided by TDOT Communications Specialist Gracie Shamblin last week, outlines responsibilities including right-of-way acquisition, environmental requirements, utility and railroad coordination, construction contracts and supervision, payments and maintenance once the work is finished.
GDOT is designated as the lead agency, making its officials responsible for the overall management of the project including development of design plans.
The Georgia agency will also be paying for the lion’s share of the total project.
The agencies will be responsible for right-of-way acquisition in their respective states, while GDOT will be responsible for all environmental documents including those in support of a Tennessee Environmental Evaluation Report. GDOT will also do the preparation for an anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit.
TDOT will work with the Tennessee Valley Authority for any necessary permits it might require.
Each DOT will handle utility and railroad coordination, as well as construction contracts and supervision in their respective states.
All internal costs with each department will be the responsibility of that party.
GDOT will pay its own right-of-way acquisition costs, while Tennessee has promised a maximum of $900,000 for the same activity. However, if TDOT’s costs go over $900,000, Georgia will reimburse or pay the overage.
GDOT will also pay or reimburse TDOT for all utility adjustment costs, railroad coordination costs, and all construction costs.
Once the project is complete, TDOT will be responsible for the part of the project in Tennessee and GDOT responsible for the Georgia location.