COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton and Rockdale counties will soon see an expanded State Route 162/Salem Road with a 16-foot raised median from just south of Brown Bridge Road to Flat Shoals Road. Construction on the 4.5-mile project, reaching an estimated $58.5 million total investment, is tentatively scheduled for January 2021.
The Georgia Department of Transportation has setup a Public Information Open House Thursday, Jan. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Middle School, 13357 Brown Bridge Road, to present information about the proposed project and allow the public to ask questions and comment. There won't be any formal presentation.
The project was created to increase vehicular capacity for a route averaging well over 30,000 vehicles per day, reduce crash severity, provide operational improvements, improve vehicular accessibility and add pedestrian/bicycle access.
As currently designed, the SR 162 improvement project would widen the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway (two lanes in each direction) from just south of Brown Bridge Road in Newton County to Flat Shoals Road in Rockdale County. Construction would also widen the existing four-lane roadway to six lanes from Flat Shoals Road to Interstate 20.
A 16-foot raised median and four-foot bike lanes in each direction are proposed for the entire length of the project. Plans show a 16-foot shoulder, which includes a five-foot sidewalk, to the east and a 20-foot shoulder, which includes a 10-foot shared-use path, is proposed to the west throughout the corridor.
Because the proposed project would be completed in multiple stages, off-site detours are not expected during construction; however, some side roads and driveways may have temporary traffic impacts.
The contractor would ensure property access throughout the duration of construction, estimated at 36 months.
For citizens who can't make the event, you can also provide your comments by Thursday, Feb. 8 by using any of the following methods:
- Online at www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Public/PublicOutreach.
- From the menu, select the county in which the proposed project is located and click Go;
- Then select SR 162/ Salem Road Improvements Project;
- Lastly, click Comment and follow the instructions to leave your comments.
- Mail in your comment card to Mr. Eric Duff, Georgia Department of Transportation, 600 West Peachtree Street NW, 16th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30308.
