Newton County residents will see more construction on roads around the county by the end of this year after the board of commissioners approved four road projects on Tuesday.

County Engineer Tom Garrett asked commissioners for permission to seek bids on four road projects at Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Garrett asked commissioners for permission to seek bids on a resurfacing project on Kirkland Road. The project will include patching, sealing, leveling and overlaying 2.3 to 2.4 miles of road from Jack Neely Road to Salem Road. The estimated cost of the project is $530,000 and will be funded with funds from the 2011 SPLOST. Garrett said they plan for construction to begin in November and last several weeks if weather permits.

Another road project commissioners approved from the 2011 SPLOST list was construction engineering and inspection for repairs at Mt. Tabor Road Bridge.

According to a proposal from Moreland Altobelli Associates, the company will prepare bid documents and perform bidding/letting services, construction management services, inspection and materials testing services. The cost of their services will not exceed $59,704.
Commissioners also approved a Georgia Department of Transportation right-of-way certification for bridge replacement over Yellow River on Mt. Tabor Road. Garrett said the bridge was damaged during a flood in 2009. He said GDOT has $105,000 available in state aid to help with the construction of the project, but in order to receive the funds the county had to certify they we're going to spend it on the right-of-way.

Construction on the Mt. Tabor Road Bridge project is expected to begin in December and last until July or August of 2013.

The board also approved Moreland Altobelli to conduct construction engineering and inspection at Crowell Road and gave Garrett permission to seek bids for construction at Crowell Road not to exceed $97,366. Garrett said the cost of the project will paid by impact fees. Construction on that project is also expected to begin in December and will last until August 2013.

In addition to roads projects, the board approved two utility relocation agreements from Snapping Shoals EMC and Central Georgia EMC and permission to seek bids for construction at Gaither's Road. According to the agreements, the county will reimburse Snapping Shoals EMC $80,356.25 and Central Georgia EMC $15,522 for a total of $95,878.25. The funds will come out of the 2005 SPLOST budget.

Construction is also expected to begin in December on Gaither's Road. The project is expected to be complete between August 2013 and December 2013.