CALHOUN Ga. – The Georgia Department of Transportation and the State Transportation Board are paving the way for road improvements in the city of Calhoun. Georgia DOT recently approved the preparation of a city contract covering the resurfacing of close to mile and half of roadway on four city streets.



“It was my pleasure to approve this project after receiving a request from Calhoun and Gordon County’s officials,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said. “They identified this as a priority project, and I was glad to help make it happen.”



While contract preparation has begun, construction cannot begin until the contract has been signed and a work order issued.



The project includes the resurfacing of Hillcrest Drive from East line Street to Cherry Hill Drive; Three Oaks Drive from Lovers Lane to Lake Drive; Timber Ridge Court from Timber Ridge Drive to the Cul-de-sac; and Timber Ridge Lane between Timber Ridge Drive and the Cul-de-sac.



State Transportation Board Members Emily Dunn and Jeff Lewis have been instrumental in gaining approval for this project.



Funding for this project comes from the Georgia DOT’s Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program, which allows local governments to decide the types of project that are most beneficial to their local jurisdiction. Every year, Georgia DOT notifies local governments to submit requests for their local transportation needs. Funding for LMIG is allocated each fiscal year and is between 10 and 20 percent of the funding from the state motor fuel taxes collected in the preceding fiscal year. Funds for projects are distributed to local governments by a formula based on population and local road mileage. Funds can be rolled over for three fiscal years to assist with funding more expensive projects.

LMIG funds can only be used on improvements for roads and bridges within county, city or state rights-of-way. Eligible projects include—but are not limited to—safety, economic development, sidewalk, maintenance and bridge.



On Tuesday, July 31, voters will decide if 12 designated districts across Georgia will be authorized to collect a one-cent sales tax for the next 10 years to be devoted exclusively to local and regional transportation projects. In districts where the referendum passes, the Department of Transportation will be responsible for project delivery. An independent study ranked Georgia DOT first in the country in on-budget project delivery and second in on-time delivery. Project delivery is what Georgia DOT does. Referendum projects assigned to the Department will be completed on time and on budget.