It was on March 10, 2023, that crews from C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. initiated construction on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) $21 million State Route 22 at County Road 1505/Bradley Park Drive diverging diamond interchange (DDI) project in Columbus.
The project is converting a cloverleaf interchange at Bradley Park Drive at SR 22/U.S. 80/J.R. Allen Parkway to a DDI. It includes two new signals on the east and west sides of the existing Bradley Park Drive overpass bridge.
With 88 percent of the work completed, C.W. Matthews is looking to deliver the project in early spring next year.
“The current bridge will be retained and modified to accommodate the DDI,” according to the project web page, noting that a 5-ft.-wide sidewalk will be added on the outside except across the existing bridge at the DDI, where 8-ft. sidewalk will be added in the median. “The existing cloverleaf ramps will be removed, leaving only the diamond ramps
with the DDI.”
A DDI, also known as a double crossover diamond (DCD), is a diamond interchange that directs traffic to the opposite side of the road across an interchange, so vehicles have unimpeded movement onto the freeway ramps.
“Left-turn movements, which are a typical challenge with standard four-way interchanges, are eliminated with a DDI,” said Gina Snider, a GDOT spokesperson. “The benefits of DDIs are fewer conflict points, reductions in wrong-way entries to ramps, reducing speeding at intersections, minimizing driver confusion and cost-effective interchange solutions.”
State and federal funds are financing the project. The preliminary engineering costs are $2,346,605, right-of-way costs are $270,000 and the construction costs are $18,946,733.
KCI Technologies Inc. designed the project.
The traffic management plan is based on lane closures and detours. Motorists are slowing down in the work zones.
“Overall, motorists have responded well to the posted signage and reduced speed limits throughout the work zone,”
Snider said. “GDOT and law enforcement have been proactive in promoting safety awareness, and continued messaging has encouraged drivers to slow down and stay alert while passing through the area. It is the responsibility of C.W. Matthews to ensure efficient and safe access for equipment and material deliveries.”
To date, C.W. Matthews has completed the following elements: grading and drainage improvements; base and paving operations; installation of barrier walls; signal and lighting foundations; and major utility relocations. The remaining work consists of final paving and striping; signal and lighting installation; landscaping; and final punch-list activities.
“The pace of work has been steady and productive,” Snider said. “Despite some weather and logistical challenges, C.W. Matthews has maintained progress and met key milestones through effective planning and resource management. While not a full 24/7 operation, C.W. Matthews has utilized extended work hours and weekend operations when necessary to meet schedule goals and minimize impacts to the traveling public.”
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Statesboro Working On Creek On Blue Mile Project Plans
Statesboro, Ga.’s Creek on the Blue Mile Project took center stage during the city’s mayor and council work session recently when a comprehensive update on where the project stands and the financial challenges now shaping its path forward was heard.
The Creek on the Blue Mile project is one of Statesboro’s most ambitious infrastructure efforts, combining flood control, recreation and transportation improvements along a key corridor of the Southeastern Georgia city.
Justin Williams, Statesboro’s director of planning and development, explained that due to the project’s multiple funding sources — each carrying its own regulations and requirements — the city has divided the design phase into three distinct contracts: one for drainage and flood control, one for a multi-use trail and one for new bridges.
GriceConnect.com, a Statesboro online news source, noted that Williams’ update came as part of his department’s ongoing effort to ensure that all design contracts are fully funded before being presented for city council approval.
The first contract covers flood control and drainage improvements to Little Lotts Creek, stretching from West Jones Avenue to Gentilly Road.
Williams noted that Statesboro received a $5.5 million grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) for this portion of the planned work. It has approximately $2.7 million remaining, which aligns with the estimated design cost for the drainage work.
City officials selected Savannah’s EMC Engineering through the state procurement process after previously working with Freese and Nichols, a Fort Worth, Texas, firm.
However, Williams noted that the drainage contract cannot move forward until sufficient funding is secured for the trail design, as the two phases are closely tied.
The second contract involves the design of a multi-use trail that will run along both sides of Little Lotts Creek, con-
Creek on the Blue Mile image
The Creek on the Blue Mile project is one of Statesboro’s most ambitious infrastructure efforts, combining flood control, recreation and transportation improvements along a key corridor of the Southeastern Georgia city.
necting South College Street near South Main to Zetterower Avenue.
Statesboro received a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for $2.12 million, but those funds are designated for construction work only. The city has submitted a separate request for additional TAP funding to pay for the trail’s design, estimated to cost $1.7 million.
Williams told those attending the municipal work session that the lack of design funding has temporarily delayed contract approval, adding that GDOT’s federal process requires extensive documentation and reports that increase costs. Some design work completed by Freese and Nichols must be resubmitted to GDOT to meet current standards.
“At this time, we don’t have sufficient funds to fully fund that design contract,” said Williams. “We’re working to obtain additional TAP funding, but that process could take several months rather than being an immediate result.”
The design of new bridges at South Main Street, Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue make up the third contract. This portion is funded separately through GDOT, with $3 million allocated for design and $6.48 million for construction. To lead this work, Statesboro has selected Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Michael Baker International, according to GriceConnect.com
Negotiations with the firm are nearing completion, and Williams said staff may soon present the design contract for city council consideration. GDOT also has indicated that it will cover construction costs even if they exceed the current $6.48 million estimate.
Creek On Blue Mile Faces Challenges
Williams also took time to outline the regulatory complexity surrounding the Creek on the Blue Mile Project and described GDOT’s design approval process as a “step-bystep sequence requiring authorization at each stage.”
The state agency’s strict process, combined with the need to resubmit certain technical reports, has contributed to higher design costs and extended timelines, he said. While the drainage and trail phases remain interconnected, the bridge design may be able to proceed independently while the city waits for additional trail funding approval.
“The trail and drainage are very closely interlocked,” Williams said. “We just want to make sure all funding is in place before we execute any contracts.”
Once design funding is finalized, the Statesboro plans to move forward with EMC Engineering on the drainage and trail contracts and Michael Baker International on the bridge design.
Williams’ update reaffirmed that while the Creek on the Blue Mile Project continues to face procedural and financial hurdles, it is advancing toward design completion with the goal of full construction funding in place over the coming year.
GDOT, C.W. Matthews Convert Cloverleaf Interchange to DDI
DDI from page 1
Operations to convert the cloverleaf interchange to a DDI have proceeded smoothly and on schedule, with crews following the plan to reconfigure existing infrastructure.
Paving and repaving operations are a major element, covering lanes and ramps.
To protect workers, cones are placed along sections where milling and repaving is occurring. One driving lane has been closed to provide crews with the space needed for coordinating various activities.
At one location where Stage 4 paving took place, a Wirtgen HD 90i tandem roller was engaged. Adjacent to the exit that was being paved, a Cat mini excavator helped to remove debris from a recent milling operation.
At another location at the interchange, a large section of road covering three lanes between the curb and existing lanes was fully excavated to the base. A Wirtgen W 250i milling machine was removing a top layer of asphalt, approximately 7 or 8 in., and placing the milling into a Corey
Williams Hauling Inc. loader. By closing off several lanes at one time, the milling operations could clear a large area to prepare it for repaving.
C.W. Matthews and subcontractor employees, including those from E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. and Corey Williams Hauling Inc., are typically on site five days a week. Busy days had a minimum of 30 personnel at the job site.
The amounts of materials generated by excavation and demolition are still being determined. Materials such as millings, concrete and earth are being recycled.
“New materials such as asphalt, aggregate base, concrete, bridge beams, light poles, and drainage structures are being delivered regularly to support ongoing phases of the project,” Snider said. “GDOT and the contractor closely monitor material quantities and testing to ensure all materials meet specifications and quality standards before being placed in the field.”
C.W. Matthews and E.R. Snell own sizable fleets of equipment, which they main-
tain with a staff of mechanics at their shops and in the field, be it for daily wear and tear repairs or critical routine maintenance to minimize breakdowns.
companies buy and rent equipment from local and regional dealerships.
(All photos are courtesy of the Georgia Department of Transportation.)
A Wirtgen W 250i milling machine removes a top layer of asphalt.
