The Columbia County Public Works and Engineering Services Committee discussed several road projects during its meeting on June 27.
Kyle Titus, engineering services director, told the committee members that the purchase of signal equipment for traffic signal upgrades at the intersections of Evans to Locks Road and Columbia Industrial Boulevard, Evans to Locks Road and North Belair Road and North Belair Air Road and Evans Town Center Blvd. This project is part of the 2017-2022 SPLOST.
“Staff identified six intersections we want to upgrade from span wire/wooden poles to mast arms,” Titus said. “Three of those we’re having designed by a consultant, those are on the Washington Road corridor, these three here up for you have been designed by staff internally and will be constructed by staff internally if approved. This is for the purchase of all the signal equipment to upgrade these three intersections from…we’re requesting the board approval to make these purchases in an amount not to exceed $500,000.”
District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch asked how much the county was saving by having the county staff do the work. Titus said the county will save anywhere from half to two-thirds the costs, so if it was sent out for bid, the project would be over a million dollars.
Titus also spoke about an indication of support for roundabouts at the intersection of Wrightsboro Road and Baker Place Road and the intersection of Columbia Road and Louisville Road. For the one at Wrightsboro Road and Baker Place Road, he said the Georgia Department of Transportation Safety Office has identified it as a needed project.
“They’ve run a benefit cost analysis on it in order to fund the project, GDOT has requested a commitment of $605,000 from the county,” Titus said. “The whole project is estimated to be $2.8 million.”
Titus added that he asked if the county will have to pay more if the project exceeds the budget and was told no, that $605,000 is all. In addition to the money, the county would be responsible for lighting costs, installation and maintenance costs and maintaining the right of way.
For the Columbia Road and Louisville Road intersection roundabout, Titus said it does not have a construction commitment, but there is a commitment for maintenance of right of way and lighting, similar to the other roundabout.
The committee approved moving all three items to the consent agenda for the full Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting. The next Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting will be Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
