City manager briefs council on GDOT projects, open enrollment and state of emergency

City Manager Griffin told the Milledgeville City Council on Sept. 24 that several Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) projects affecting the area are advancing and that staff will continue coordination on timing and utility relocation.

Griffin said GDOT plans include a roundabout on State Routes 22 and 24 with right-of-way acquisition expected to start in November; the agency anticipates letting the construction contract in November 2025. He also noted that design and environmental work on State Route 49/29 (near the mall area) are roughly 70% complete and that acquisition could begin in March 2025. The Gray bypass project to State Route 26 is identified as a long-range, multi-phase initiative with a preliminary total project cost of about $149 million.

Griffin briefed the council on the city’s involvement in utility relocation work tied to the US 441 Business (Wayne Street) bridge/rebuild and said the relocation work already cost the city roughly $700,000.

On personnel and benefits, Griffin said staff and employees received materials about open enrollment tied to the city’s contract with the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) for health plans; he said the Delta Dental premiums were not expected to change and the council would see the dental contract at the next meeting.

Griffin also notified council members that the governor had issued an executive order declaring a statewide state of emergency for Tropical Storm Lien, enabling potential disaster funding, National Guard activation and price-gouging protections; he committed to share National Weather Service updates with the council as they become available.

Provenance: City manager report and updates (SEG 1210 to SEG 1406).