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Fayette County approves SR 279 SPLOST project and begins 35‑parcel right‑of‑way effort
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Summary
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners approved a new 2017 SPLOST project and a $20,000 reallocation to begin right‑of‑way work for SR 279 and North Drive, and authorized pre‑acquisition activity affecting 35 parcels tied to GDOT PI 0017813 to support larger corridor improvements.
Fayette County commissioners on Feb. 12 voted to establish a new 2017 SPLOST project for improvements along State Route 279 and North Drive and to reallocate $20,000 from Project 17TAK to begin right‑of‑way work.
The move, introduced by Public Works Director Phil Mallon, responds to repeated public requests and local concerns about traffic capacity and safety on SR 279. Mallon said the $20,000 will fund right‑of‑way and easement acquisition activities that will enable coordinated work with the Georgia Department of Transportation, which will construct left‑turn improvements while the county completes the right‑turn elements.
The board also authorized a larger pre‑acquisition phase for GDOT PI 0017813 — work that Mr. Mallon said would affect 35 parcels along SR 279, SR 85 and Corinth Road, including 23 fee‑simple takes and the remainder easements. The pre‑acquisition work covers staking, title research, cost estimates and utility coordination; Mr. Mallon said he was not aware of any total takes or impacts to residences, describing the anticipated impacts as primarily strip takes along the state routes.
Commissioner Charles Rousseau, who moved the SPLOST item, framed the action as a continuation of recent corridor studies and as a local match strategy to encourage GDOT investment. County Administrator Steve Rapson told the board he would authorize up to $25,000 in in‑house construction if that expedited the project.
The board approved the SPLOST reallocation and the initial acquisition steps unanimously. The votes followed public comments earlier in the meeting from local residents urging the county to press GDOT for more substantial SR 279 improvements and to consider signalization, access lanes and speed‑limit changes.
Next steps identified by staff include completing detailed construction plans and producing a fuller cost estimate for Fayette County's construction share; Mallon said additional funds will be required for the county's portion of the construction phase.