City says Hephzibah-McBean Road paving under contract, preconstruction meeting held; work expected to start after PO issuance

Commissioners received a status update on planned paving of Hephzibah-McBean Road, a multi-mile route that residents and commissioners said has deteriorated with age and traffic.

Resident Doug Lively (Hephzibah-McBean Road) said the pavement has suffered nearly two decades without a full overlay, that patching has left uneven bump patches, and that recent heavy vehicles have worsened conditions. He asked the commission to expedite the resurfacing, noting the road’s high use by school traffic and regional truck routes.

Public works staff (Dr. Malik, engineering/project manager) told commissioners the Hephzibah-McBean project was included in a SPLOST 8 allocation and that the commission approved the construction contract in December. A preconstruction meeting has occurred; staff said purchase orders and internal fund-release steps remain, and the department expects the contractor to begin work in the coming weeks. The department said the Hephzibah-McBean contract is one of a bundle of 41 roads in the current paving program and that Hephzibah-McBean is planned as the first project under that contract.

Commissioners asked about enforcement against overweight truck traffic on the route. Staff said signage could be installed but enforcement depends on cited legal authorities and monitoring; the traffic-engineering office has indicated limits to on-road weight enforcement where no local ordinance or enforcement mechanism exists.

Ending: Staff reported contract approval, preconstruction meeting completion and internal processing for purchase orders; staff said paving should begin soon and asked for continued patience as the department completes procurement and mobilization steps.