Despite a wet, cold winter, the widening of the Ga. Highway 142 and U.S. Highway 278 intersection is on schedule to be completed by Oct. 31, 2012.

The northbound half of Ga. 142 and Covington ByPass Road has been completed, and some residents have asked why there is such a height disparity between the finished section and old roadbed. Cissy McNure, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation, said the widening design called for the road to be raised to properly align the road to its surroundings. The old roadbed will be built up.

McNure said utilities will be moved outside of the new roadbed, except where they have to cross under side streets and intersections. The city of Covington is upgrading the size of some pipes in the area.

The $12 million includes widening of Highway 142 to four lanes, from the Wendy's south past 278 to the entrance of Ingles, and widening Highway 278 to four lanes, from Mamie's Kitchen west beyond the old Wal-Mart. Medians and turning lanes will be added. Pittman Construction won the project bid and began work in February 2010.

The average daily traffic count for U.S. 278 near that intersection was 46,000 in 2010, and the traffic county for Ga. 142 was 31,900, according to the state.