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Lowndes County approves Vowdell Road/North Valdosta Road intersection project; contractor to start after schools dismiss
Summary
The Lowndes County Commission awarded the low bid for intersection improvements at Vowdell Road and North Valdosta Road, directing staff and the contractor to focus work during summer school break and to use targeted detours for commercial traffic.
Lowndes County commissioners voted to approve the low bid for intersection improvements at Vowdell Road and North Valdosta Road and directed staff to prioritize a summer construction start to limit impacts on school traffic.
The project approved Tuesday will add a dedicated left-turn lane heading south, a dedicated left-and-straight lane, increased stacking depth, two northbound lanes for 500 feet, new drainage, guardrail, signal upgrades, new striping and utility relocations. Bids opened April 21 and the low bid was from Reams and Son Construction at $1,727,365.72; a second bid from Scruggs Company was $1,851,180.40. Commissioners were told a 2024 L-MIG supplemental grant will contribute to the project funding and the remainder will be paid from County sources identified in the agenda packet.
County staff and the low bidder told commissioners they expect to begin major closures after May 27 — the first weekday after school dismisses — and to complete as much work as possible over the summer to avoid rerouting school buses during the school year. County Manager Miss Dukes said staff had already contacted the low bidder to confirm the contractor’s intent to start as soon as allowed and that communications will begin on social media tomorrow to notify residents of detours and timelines.
Public works and engineering described the official detour plan: commercial and heavy truck traffic will be routed via Highway 122 to I‑75; local drivers will be expected to use local knowledge to reroute. Staff said a few construction and permanent utility easements were required but no full property acquisitions. The county will deploy its message boards for traffic control and the contractor may supplement those devices if needed. County staff also said they have coordinated with the Lowndes County School System superintendent to limit bus impacts.
Commissioners approved the low bid by voice vote; the chairman called for “aye” and recorded no opposition.
