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Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Crews Work to Save Lives on Mike Padgett Highway By Cindy Riley
In an effort to help save lives, construction crews in Augusta, Ga., are making improvements to a dangerous stretch of roadway commonly referred to as Mike Padgett Highway. Work on the $29 million state Route (SR) 56 project began in late 2013 and should be completed by the first quarter of 2017. “Based on project design studies, the four-year accident data for this segment includes 295 total accidents, with 165 total injuries and 10 fatalities,” said Kyle Collins, a communications specialist of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). “In 2006, the statewide average accident rate on comparable roads was 2.42 times the accident rate on this segment of SR 56. The majority of accidents were rear-end collisions. The second most frequent type of accident was angle collisions.” The ongoing construction covers Mike Padgett Highway widening and reconstruction beginning at Bennock Mill Road and extending to Old Waynesboro Road. Two bridges and approaches over Spirit Creek and Little Spirit Creek are included. The purpose of the project is to improve operational conditions on SR 56 and control left turn movements to and from connecting streets. Collins said speeding and aggressive driving are factors that lead to increased vehicular incidents. “This south Augusta area route is heavily traveled due to various industries in the corridor. SR 56 also serves as a connection to nearby Burke County, and carries a large load of Plant Vogtle traffic, Collins said. “Higher traffic volumes also lead to increased chances of incidents. This construction project will create additional lanes at side road intersections, which will allow vehicles to decelerate and exit out of the through travel lanes when making turns. This will enhance rear-end crash avoidance at these locations.” The work involves almost 5 mi. (8 km) of widening and reconstruction. It includes construction of two bridges and approaches. The widening will include four 12-ft. (3.7 m) travel lanes (two in each direction), a 22-ft. (6.7 m) raised concrete center median and 10-ft. (3 m) shoulders, with 6.5 ft. (2 m) being paved and the balanced being grassed. The work is following the scheduled flow of all GDOT projects. The concept was developed and approved in April 2008. The project then went into the design phase, which was completed and let to construction in June 2013. According to Dallas Suggs, Augusta area manager, Reeves Construction Company the project is currently in the later phases of Stage II construction.
CEG CORRESPONDENT
“Most of the heavy grading and utility work is complete. As of right now, bridge work over Little Spirit Creek and Spirit Creek on the right side is approaching completion. Concrete raised medians are currently being installed in preparation of the final surface placement. Minor grading activities remain, once bridge construction has been completed.” Stage I is finished, which, in addition to the construction of two bridges, called for the installation of 25,000 linear ft. (7,620 m) of new water main, 21,000 linear ft. (6,400 m) of new storm drainage, 150,000 cu. yds. (125,419 cu m) of earthwork, 150,000 tons (136,077 t) of graded aggregate base and 100,000 tons (90,718 t) of recycled HMA. Utility relocation also is complete. Suggs said existing concrete roadbed removal has
delayed the project, as have environmental restrictions and the elements. “Weather plays a major role in construction projects where grading is critical to completion. Even though 2016 was a dry year, previous years experienced above average rainfall. Weather will be the major contributing factor heading into the winter months,” Suggs said. Another challenge involves a specification requiring the contractor to coordinate all utility relocation on behalf of the owner. “This requires the contractor to schedule and coordinate concurrent utility and construction activities, to maximize contract time,” said Suggs. “This project is also located on a historically dangerous section of Hwy 56. Safety of the travsee PADGETT page 2
Reeves Construction photo
The ongoing construction covers Mike Padgett Highway widening and reconstruction beginning at Bennock Mill Road and extending to Old Waynesboro Road.