Phase I of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Highway 5 project will not begin in June as expected, according to GDOT District 6 Communications Officer Joe Schulman.
In January, Schulman had said phase I of the project, which spans from Wash Wilson Road to Old Flower Road, would commence this June. However, recent events have caused a delay in obtaining rights-of-ways, and citizens might expect construction to begin “toward the end of the year” instead.
“The team is not able to complete the negotiation process with over twenty plus property owners,” Schulman said.
He added that the department likes to perform negotiations in person, but have not been able to as a result of social distancing guidelines.
“We wish to negotiate in good faith, we are consulting with FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) on alternative options to engage with citizens,” Schulman said.
He went on to say that they have been unable to file required documentation due to courthouses being limited to the public.
GDOT should authorize the programmed fiscal year funds for construction in June, and a contractor will be selected by September, according to Schulman.
Phase I is anticipated to cost $14.5 million and will take around 24 months to complete. There were 76 parcels needed at the beginning of the process.