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Appling County approves $1.3M in LRA-backed road projects, advances SPLOST and LMIG plans
Summary
The Appling County Board approved a GDOT Local Road Assistance (LRA) project list totaling roughly $1.3 million for road repairs and widening, authorized use of SPLOST funds on Holmesville and Bethel Church roads, and greenlit a contingency LMIG project for Lake Mayer Road pending grant receipt.
The Appling County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 13 approved a slate of road projects that combine a new GDOT Local Road Assistance award with existing SPLOST and LMIG plans.
County Manager Al Meadows told the board GDOT awarded Appling County $1,399,363.24 in LRA funds. He presented a proposed list intended to use the LRA award without a required local match: Merrell Miles Road (1.00 mile; grade/drain/base/pave; paving estimated at about $800,000 with an additional $325,000 in LMIG allocated by GDOT to begin work), Dunn's Lake Road (1.709 miles patching/leveling/resurfacing; est. $350,000), Holmesville Road (4.00 miles; 2‑ft widening to preserve shoulders; est. $275,000 of LRA funds with paving to be paid from 2024 SPLOST estimated at $682,351), and Long Branch Road (approx. 0.35 miles reclamation; est. $150,000). The combined estimated cost of the four projects is about $1.3 million.
"By utilizing LRA funds District 1 and 2 can use their 2024 SPLOST Road funds on other roads in their districts," Meadows said, explaining how the funding mix could reprioritize district SPLOST allocations.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project list and submit it to GDOT for work to begin in the fall. They also accepted County Manager Meadows' recommendation to proceed now on Holmesville Road and Bethel Church Road by combining LRA and SPLOST funds.
On the longer horizon, Meadows said Appling County's 2025 LMIG allocation is $1,152,992.44 with a required 10% local match. He recommended paving Lake Mayer Road (estimated $1.1 million); the board approved the project contingent on receipt of LMIG funds.
Why it matters: The approved work addresses roads with heavy commercial use and storm damage, aims to extend pavement life, and reallocates SPLOST priorities across districts. Using LRA funds reduces the immediate local match burden for some paving work.
Next steps: County staff will submit the approved LRA project list to GDOT and proceed with project planning and procurement. Work is expected to begin in the fall subject to standard GDOT processes and fund receipt for LMIG projects.
