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Commissioners ask engineers to scale back new‑location option for Bogle Parkway after public opposition
Summary
County officials and TIA program staff reviewed public feedback on the proposed Bogle Parkway alignment. Engineers reported more comments opposed than in favor at a recent hearing and recommended revisiting scope to minimize new road location, consider intersection improvements and use existing bridges where possible.
Burke County commissioners reviewed status and public input on the proposed Bogle Parkway (Vogtle access) project and directed staff and regional engineers to revisit the route and scope after public comment showed more opponents than supporters.
Kenneth Franks, who said he works for the Georgia DOT TIA program and runs that program locally, told the board that the project was submitted by the county to the 10-year sales tax program and that public involvement had produced mixed results. Franks reported 37 attendees at a public hearing, with 26 written comments: five in favor, 17 against and four conditional. He said the result did not represent a “successful public meeting” and recommended the county consider scaling back the new-location alignment in favor of intersection improvements and use of existing roads where feasible.
Engineers and staff discussed alternatives including using Thompson Bridge or other existing corridors to reduce the amount of new roadway and avoid building a new bridge over Briar Creek, which would raise environmental concerns. Commissioners said they support improving connectivity to Vogtle but urged minimizing disruption to farms and residences and exploring intersection realignments on existing roads and coordination with state bridge-replacement programs.
No formal vote was taken. Staff and regional engineers were asked to return with options that reduce the amount of new roadway, examine corridor alternatives such as using Thompson Bridge with intersection work, and identify possible funding combinations from regional TIA funds and local bridge-replacement programs. Kenneth Franks noted TIA funds are drawn from a regional pot and any unspent allocation could be used elsewhere in the region if the county does not move forward with the current alignment.
