Fayette County approves GDOT memorandum of agreement and $50,000 SPLOST project for McDonough Road Bridge replacement

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on March 14 to approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) allowing the Georgia Department of Transportation to replace the McDonough Road Bridge over the Flint River (GDOT PI 0016579) and to create 2004 SPLOST Project R-10 with a $50,000 allocation to fund right‑of‑way acquisition.

Public Works Director Phil Mallon told commissioners GDOT would handle design, right‑of‑way acquisition, construction and construction management; Mallon said the overall project cost is estimated at about $6 million and the county’s immediate contribution would be $50,000 toward right‑of‑way. Mallon said staff is seeking a 50/50 split with neighboring Clayton County and, if successful, the agreement would return to the Board for approval. Chairman Lee Hearn described the bridge condition as "in lousy shape" and noted load limits had previously been raised with county and Clayton funding to allow school buses to use the crossing.

Mallon said design is underway and the project is scheduled to be let for construction in February 2026. Commissioners approved creation of the SPLOST project and execution of the MOA after motions by Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons and second by Commissioner Charles W. Oddo; both motions passed 5-0.

What’s next: staff will continue coordination with GDOT and outreach to Clayton County; any intergovernmental cost‑sharing agreement would be brought back to the Board for formal approval.