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Henry County awards design contracts for three SPLOST 6 transportation projects
Summary
Under SPLOST 6 funding, the board approved design services for Hampton‑Locust Grove widening ($3,993,660 to NB5 engineers), Peeksville Road at Old Jackson intersection ($250,000 to Croix Engineering), and Racetrack Road at Travis Drive ($335,000 to Croix Engineering). Staff said funding exists for right of way and construction phases.
The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 1 approved three design contracts funded by SPLOST 6 for transportation projects intended to improve east‑west connectivity and intersection safety.
Bert (county staff) presented the recommended awards: NB5 Engineers and Consultants ranked highest on the RFQ process and was recommended for design services for the Hampton‑Locust Grove Road widening from State Route 20 to State Route 155, with a design price of $3,993,660. Bert told commissioners the Hampton‑Locust Grove section is approximately five miles long and that the project includes a bridge over the Tawilaga River; staff said funding in SPLOST 6 is available for design and partial right‑of‑way acquisition. “This section of roadway is approximately 5 miles long,” Bert said.
Two intersection projects were also approved after the purchasing department reviewed proposals. Croix Engineering was selected for design of Peeksville Road at Old Jackson Road for $250,000 and for Racetrack Road at Travis Drive for $335,000; staff said both RFPs received two proposals and that SPLOST 6 accounts include funds for later right‑of‑way and construction phases. The Racetrack/Travis project is a joint effort with the city of McDonough; county staff noted the north side of Racetrack Road lies inside McDonough city limits.
The presentations included procurement questions from commissioners about the use of RFQs versus RFPs. Commissioner Wilson pressed staff on pricing and whether an RFP might produce better upfront cost certainty. Susan Harris (purchasing) explained that, for large complex projects, staff solicited qualifications (RFQ), scored respondents, then solicited cost proposals from the highest‑ranked firms and negotiated pricing; for smaller projects the county typically uses RFPs. Commissioners and staff agreed to continue evaluating procurement methods for large transportation projects.
All three motions to approve the recommended design contracts passed. Staff said the Hampton‑Locust Grove construction cost estimate included in SPLOST 6 planning is approximately $7 million and that the five‑mile corridor may be split into phases for construction.
