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Walnut Grove moves forward on sewer-plant expansion as DOT roundabout work begins, officials say
Summary
City leaders said Walnut Grove is in phase two of the LAS sewer-plant expansion, with a $2.4 million loan and an active bid process; separately, the state Department of Transportation has issued notice to proceed on a multilaned roundabout that officials said will affect traffic and utilities.
Mayor (role/title: Mayor) told residents at an Envision Walnut Grove kickoff meeting that the city is entering phase two of the LAS sewer-plant expansion after being granted a $2,400,000 loan and that the project is currently out for bid.
“The original due date for bids was February 11, but we had an overwhelming response… and extended that to February 18. Bids will be opened on February 19 at the Municipal Building at 5 p.m.,” the Mayor said. The Mayor said recommendations will go to the council at a Feb. 27 work session and the council is scheduled to vote to award the contract on March 13.
The Mayor described the construction timeline for the sewer project as a 450-day build with project closeout anticipated in August 2026. She said the schedule and phasing plan presented by the project team calls for building the outside lanes of the work zone first and then moving inward to maintain traffic flow.
Separately, the Mayor said the Georgia Department of Transportation has issued a notice to proceed for the new Walnut Grove multilaned roundabout. She said the DOT gave a notice to proceed on Feb. 6, 2025, and that a contractor preconstruction conference is scheduled for Feb. 19, at which she plans to participate with the city engineer. The Mayor told the room she had been given an estimated completion date of April 2027 for the roundabout.
City officials said utilities will be relocated as part of the roundabout contract and warned residents to expect traffic impacts, including on school-bus routes. The Mayor said there had been “some movement on the utilities” and that additional utilities would be moved as part of the construction contract.
The Mayor also described work at Grove Park connected to the larger area improvements. She said the park’s softball fields will have artificial turf, an amphitheater is planned to seat up to 4,500 people, and that rock blasting will be required for some site preparation. She said some demolition related to the roundabout—specifically removal of the Walnut Grove sheriff’s precinct—was expected to begin early in 2025.
No formal council votes or contract awards were recorded in the meeting transcript. City staff and the Mayor told residents they will share schedules and traffic plans as they become available.
Why this matters: The sewer expansion, DOT roundabout and park build-out are projects city officials said are intended to increase infrastructure capacity and accommodate expected growth. Officials warned of short-term construction impacts to traffic and school transportation while saying the work will support longer-term development.
Next steps: Bid opening for the sewer expansion on Feb. 19; council recommendation Feb. 27 and expected award vote March 13; DOT preconstruction meeting Feb. 19 and ongoing coordination on traffic and utility relocation. The Mayor asked residents to watch for updates from City Hall and said the city will share details after the preconstruction meeting.
