Forsyth County starts phase 1 of McGinnis Ferry widening; lane closures and extended hours planned

Forsyth County’s director of capital projects, John Jefferson, said crews have mobilized to begin phase 1 of the McGinnis Ferry widening in the Johns Creek area, with lane closures and traffic flagging already in place.

"The contractor's mobilized and has started," Jefferson said, adding that "that's gonna be going on here for the next 2 or 3 months" as crews clear the right of way. He said the county granted the contractor permission to work extended hours, including Saturdays, to speed early clearing and utility work.

The county described phase 1 as the eastern portion of the widening, beginning at the Hospital Parkway intersection and extending just past Douglas Road to Flynn Crossing. Jefferson said the phase 1 effort will take about three years. "It's 3 years," he said.

County officials said much of the funding for phase 1 comes from the county’s local option sales tax (SPLOST). Jefferson also described a separate but related project at GA-400: Forsyth County paid for design and right-of-way for a new interchange, but the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is funding and managing construction there. "GDOT is funding and managing the construction," Jefferson said, and he estimated the interchange work has "about a year to go," noting remaining items such as striping, signage, guardrails and outstanding utility relocations.

Jefferson emphasized that site work will include standard erosion controls and barriers and that coordination with utility providers is under way. He said the county added a staff member whose sole responsibility is utility coordination to reduce delays and resolve issues quickly. "The commissioners funded an additional staff member for me," Jefferson said, and that staffer will help remove communication roadblocks with utilities and public service companies.

Traffic impacts will be intermittent but persistent: crews will place equipment in travel lanes to cut and lay trees and complete other clearing tasks, requiring alternating one-lane traffic and flagging operations. Jefferson said typical permitted lane-closure hours are limited to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the county allowed extended weekend work to accelerate progress.

Officials said they will post maps and further updates on the county’s online channels and the county’s website as work progresses. The county plans periodic updates on On the Move as the project reaches major milestones.