Although the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is actively working on the Highway 5 expansion, the widening itself is still a ways out.
GDOT District 6 Communications Officer Joseph Schulman said workers should soon begin moving dirt where construction has already began from Wash Wilson Road to Old Flowers Road.
This work will result in lane closures, but more details on when and where will be available as they get started.
The estimated completion date of this section is August 31, 2023, and the project description states that Highway 5 will be widened to four lanes with a 14-foot center turn lane from Wash Wilson to McCaysville Industrial Drive.
The cost estimate of construction for this section is $22,672,260.36.
Work on the single-lane roundabout at Highway 5 and School Street in McCaysville should be let in June, according to Schulmane. The estimated cost of this project is $94,831,120.
Work on the truck bypass will not begin until 2024.
The bypass will also begin at Highway 5 and School Street and will travel nearly a mile to the Tennessee state line where GDOT expects the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to complete on their side.
TDOT Community Relations Divisions Director Beth Emmons said, “Yes, TDOT is responsible for constructing the part of the project located in Tennessee. We are still in the early stages of development and will soon start the design phase and purchase right of way. Once plans are complete, TDOT will let the project to contract and manage the construction. GDOT is responsible for funding it.”
The GDOT project description of the bypass states that a new bridge will be constructed to cross over West Tennessee Avenue, the Ocoee River, the Tennessee Overhill Association Railroad and Highway 68 at Ocoee Street.
A single-lane roundabout is also proposed at the intersection of Highway 68 and Colonial Avenue in Copperhill.
The estimated cost of this project is $32,382,968.25.