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Consultant: Two parcels near Albany Avenue project have contaminated soils; county urged to begin acquisitions and surveys
Summary
Practical Design Partners told the Ware County commission that preliminary plans for the Albany Avenue rail grade‑separation project are advancing but two parcels tested positive for contaminated soils, prompting discussion of EPD cleanup timelines, owner responsibility, and options for phased work outside the railroad right‑of‑way.
Brad Robinson of Practical Design Partners updated the Ware County Board of Commissioners on the Albany Avenue grade‑separation project on July 13, saying the team has updated preliminary plans and submitted them to CSX for review.
Robinson told the board the railroad’s review took longer than expected and that the firm completed environmental site assessments across the potential acquisition area. “They identified 22 properties that were at risk of contaminants,” Robinson said, and follow‑up testing found contamination at two parcels — a former tire shop and an old gas station — that would require remediation if the county acquires the land.
Commissioners asked whether the contamination would block acquisition or construction. Robinson said the state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will notify property owners and that owners may be eligible to apply to the Georgia UST fund for reimbursement if they meet eligibility rules. He added that, if the county were to acquire a contaminated parcel, the county would become responsible for cleanup unless conditions are negotiated: "If we acquire the property, the county would be responsible for cleaning up those contaminants," he said.
Robinson outlined the next technical steps: additional top‑of‑rail survey required by CSX, geotechnical investigations, final bridge plans and resubmittal to the railroad. He estimated about a year to finish design and obtain railroad approval, and he encouraged beginning right‑of‑way work now because the acquisition process is a separate critical path: there are roughly 40 parcels identified for potential acquisition, and staff will need legal descriptions and appraisals to proceed.
Commissioners discussed mitigation options: asking owners to clean up contaminated parcels prior to sale, negotiating lower purchase prices to offset cleanup costs, or the county undertaking remediation after acquisition. Staff noted EPD’s typical timelines for plan response and closure (plan response in roughly 30–60 days and closure often requested within 90–120 days), and several commissioners supported moving forward with demolition and other nonrail work that can be done without CSX approval to demonstrate progress.
The board did not take a formal vote on land purchases during the update; staff said they will provide legal descriptions, continue coordination with utility owners (including Georgia Power relocations), and return with next steps for parcel acquisition and scheduling.
