Public Works Director Robert Dury told the Dawson County commissioners Dec. 18 that Afton Road requires substantial resurfacing and that staff intends to apply for the Georgia Department of Transportation's Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) for the 2026 cycle.

Dury described multiple locations with failed pavement and base failure that will require deep patching before a mill-and-overlay. He noted a 2023 DOT safety shoulder addition on the road and said the county wants a full-width resurfacing to restore proper lane transitions. "We estimate $1,900,000 project, and we're gonna fund it from SPLOST 7," Dury said, adding the DOT LMIG would reimburse the SPLOST budget for the state's share (LMIG funds typically involve a 30% local match).

Commissioners did not record a final vote on the LMIG application during the work session; the presentation was placed on the agenda for the next posted action meeting.

Dury said the road is 4.41 miles and extends from Route 183 southwest toward Pickens County; the project would address pavement and base failures and reestablish full lane width.