County Commission chairman Keith Ellis describes the intersection of Georgia Highway 81 and Crowell Road as the worst in the county. But not for much longer.

Tuesday night, the commissioner agreed to request bids to build stoplights at the intersection near Porterdale. Newton County Chief Engineer Tom Garrett estimated the cost to redesign the intersection and install the lights and turn lanes at $1.6 million to $1.8 million.

Bids should be in in five or six weeks, he said. Construction can begin as soon as the commission approves its chosen bid. He had no estimate on how long the construction might take.

“I consider it the worst intersection in the county,” Ellis said. “We will use some golden shovels to start that project.”