State Route (SR) 67 Widening and Reconstruction Project in Bulloch County
Twenty Seven years after the first Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project concept report was submitted and two years after construction began, the widening of Georgia State Route 67 is complete.
According to Jill Nagel, Communications office with GDOT, the project consisted of 10.02 miles of widening and reconstruction for additional lanes on SR 67 beginning at I-16 and extending to the Statesboro Bypass.
It also includes construction of a bridge and approaches over Woodcock Branch. The primary purpose of this project is to relieve congestion and improve conditions for traffic between Statesboro and I-16.
Working around Historic Properties
For most of the project length, the existing two-lane roadway was reconstructed to four lanes with a 32-foot wide depressed median. At four locations, a narrower five-lane section will be constructed consisting of four travel lanes and a 14-foot flush median that would function as a two-way left-turn lane.
The five-lane section was necessary to avoid impacts to commercial sites and historic properties in the community of Denmark as well as other historic properties along the corridor. Most of the widening in this area occurred along the east side of the existing roadway, shifting to the west side only to avoid specific historic properties.
Widening Increases Safety
Right of way acquisitions were completed in February of 2018. Reeves Construction Company was awarded the $42 million contract in August of 2018 and began construction in October of that same year. DOT has been pleased with how well Reeves worked to stay on schedule in spite of multiple rain delays. However an added benefit of the rain is that the permanent grassing is flourishing.
This $42 million widening project will increase safety and operational efficiencies along SR 67 between Statesboro and I-16. With the opening of all 4 travel lanes motorists will experience ease of congestion and decrease travel time along this corridor.
Even though the highway is open, GDOT will complete the final inspection very soon and the contractor will have to complete any corrective items listed on the punch list from the final inspection.
