Newton County will begin work on Airport Road Monday after receiving a permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation Thursday.

County Engineer Tom Garrett said the county public works department is hopeful the road work will be completed by Friday, but may linger into the week of July 25th, when teachers will first report to the new Flint Hill Elementary.

The school itself will open Aug. 4 and the two-lane Airport Road will have to handle approximately 1,935 vehicles per day, including dozens of buses.

Crews will widen the entrance to Airport Road from Ga. Highway 142 and add a short turning lane. The $12,000 worth of materials will be paid for by 2011 SPLOST funds.

Garrett said the road will remain open to traffic at all times. There may be some temporary single lane closures during construction, but he said they should be minimal.

He said it may be easier for motorists to access Airport Road from Ga. Highway 81, north of Oxford, until the construction is complete, but the intersection at Ga. 142 and Airport Road will remain open at all times.

In other county news, the Newton County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing for the fiscal year 2012 budget and millage rate at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Historic Courthouse.

The board is expected to officially approved the budget and millage rate at its regular 7 p.m. meeting following the public hearing.