Porterdale’s Riverfront Road is getting a facelift, thanks in part to the Newton County Board of Commissioners.

The BOC, along with the Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, has agreed to provide materials and other support for the resurfacing and stripping of the road, which was originally damaged during the expansion of the Yellow River Treatment Plant, and a flood in 2009.

"We’re grateful that (Board of Commissioners) Chairman (Keith) Ellis is assisting on the project by helping with a much-needed repair outside the scope of our capabilities," said Porterdale Mayor Arline Chapman in a press release. "I’d like to also thank Mike Hopkins, executive director of the Water and Sewer Authority, and Porterdale council member and authority board member Lowell Chambers for providing leadership in coordinating the project with the county. Porterdale is contributing the entire 2014 GDOT local maintenance grant, as well. As a side benefit from the road repair, we also intend to restore the eroded access points to the river.

"Not only will it make the road much safer for drivers at night," Chapman said, "but it also supports our efforts to further develop the Yellow River Water Trail by establishing additional access points for kayaks and canoes."

Repairs to Riverfront Road are expected to cost $86,535, with $67,840 coming from the water authority and $18,695 from Porterdale. Newton County is expected to contribute in-kind in the amount of $36,163.