Commission accepts $500,000 from GDOT for SR‑53 roundabout design; caps contract modification at $500,000
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Summary
After reporting $544,657 in aggregate design change costs for two SR‑53 roundabout projects, commissioners accepted a GDOT reimbursement of $500,000 and approved a contract modification not to exceed $500,000 to complete design work.
Oconee County commissioners voted on Jan. 6 to accept $500,000 from the Georgia Department of Transportation and to approve a county contract modification not to exceed $500,000 for design work on two roundabout projects on State Route 53 (Snow’s Mill and Ray’s Church).
Staff reported aggregate design contract modifications of $544,657 tied to expanded scope during GDOT reviews, with the bulk of additional costs—about $411,077—linked to the Ray’s Church design review that had initially increased potential parcel acquisitions from 6 to 15. County staff and GDOT negotiated design changes and GDOT agreed to reimburse the county $500,000 toward those expenses.
Commissioners discussed the delta between the submitted design cost and the GDOT reimbursement and directed staff to limit the county contract modification to the $500,000 that GDOT will provide. The board approved both the project framework agreement and the contract modification by voice vote.
Why it matters: the decision keeps the projects on the schedule for a planned summer let date and limits direct county exposure to the $500,000 reimbursement amount. Staff confirmed all parcels affected have closed and said historic Eastfield City Hall will be left untouched; right‑of‑way acquisition and federal design requirements remain county responsibilities.
Provenance: staff presentation and motion to accept GDOT funding (SEG 1671–SEG 1852).
