Effingham County panel reviews GDOT project timelines, urges prep for TSPLOST renewal

The Effingham County transportation board met March 18, 2025, in Springfield to receive updates on Georgia Department of Transportation projects and county road work and to begin preparing for a potential spring 2026 renewal of the county’s Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST). Matt Morris called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m.; routine agenda and minutes approvals were carried without amendment.

Why it matters: Staff told the board that current TSPLOST collections are on track to meet a $120 million goal by November 2026, and members were advised to start assembling project lists and intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) if they want a spring 2026 ballot. That timeline, if pursued, would require coordinated outreach and documentation of project progress to support voter information and transparency.

GDOT updates: Katie Proctor reported on several state projects affecting the county. The SR119/Old River Road bridge replacement over the Ogeechee River is progressing toward a corrected FFPR milestone with a Management Let anticipated in June. The SR21 project from SR30 (Chatham) to 9th Street is in early concept; staff said the project description is likely to change from “9th Street” to “McCall Road.” Effingham Parkway is reported at about 75% complete, with an adjusted completion window in fall 2025 and a tentative traffic opening scheduled for September 2025.

County projects and design work: County Manager Tim Callanan summarized local projects and near‑term steps: Goshen Road widening (ROW acquisition underway; final design expected by June 2025); Blue Jay Road improvements (lane widening, shoulders and planned roundabout integration); Low Ground Road (temporary chip seal ahead of full‑depth reclamation and paving); Old Augusta Road (planned widening to four lanes with multiple roundabouts; final design due January 2026); McCall Road (resurfacing and widening in two segments); and Rahn Station Road (realignment to connect with Little McCall via a future roundabout). Callanan also said the county is reapplying for a design grant for an East‑West corridor railroad overpass and that land acquisition and alignment coordination are in very early stages.

Maintenance and resurfacing: Staff reviewed TSPLOST 2024 and 2025 resurfacing and maintenance packages that cover roads across districts 1–5 and noted that chip‑seal projects remain in queue by district. The board discussed local priorities, including Rincon’s workshop work on 9th Street and a road inventory completed by EMC to support planning.

Traffic and safety concerns: Committee members raised school bus safety and truck congestion near Blandford and McCall intersections and emphasized the need to redirect truck traffic after the Parkway is completed to reduce local impacts.

Next steps and public outreach: Staff recommended beginning public outreach and assembling documentation (including photos and drone footage) to demonstrate project progress and maintain transparency if the jurisdiction moves forward with a TSPLOST renewal. Elections for chair and vice chair were deferred to the next meeting because of limited attendance.

Votes at a glance: The agenda was approved unanimously on a motion by Mona Underwood, seconded by Tommy Blewett. Minutes from the Jan. 21, 2025 meeting were approved on a motion by Tim Callanan, seconded by Tommy Blewett. A motion to adjourn by Mona Underwood, seconded by Tommy Blewett, closed the meeting at 10:15 a.m.

What to watch: Staff action items include two follow‑ups from Katie Proctor: provide a timeframe for SR21 right‑of‑way acquisitions and verify the SR21 project status on the GDOT TPRO tracking system. The board will consider project lists and IGA requirements ahead of any decision on whether to place a TSPLOST renewal on a spring 2026 ballot.