Georgia DOT announced this month they approved a construction contract for the State Route 162 widening. The project extends for 4.5 miles at a construction cost of $84.6 million.
The SR 162 widening starts south of I-20 exit 84. It continues south passing through portions of both Rockdale and Newton Counties. The project’s southern terminus is at Brown Bridge Road.
State Route 162 Widening
The state DOT accepted construction bids in July 2024 for the highway widening project. They received two bids for the project. CW Matthews Contracting Company of Marietta, GA submitted the low bid. Their bid was valued at $84,607,778.48.
Georgia DOT announced the contract award on Friday, August 2. Road work should begin this fall. The contract completion date is July 31, 2028.
The project was designed as two separate projects, between Flat Shoals Road and Old Salem Road, and from Old Salem Road to Brown Bridge Road. The state elected to build the project in one contract. Georgia’s transportation funding act, also known as House Bill 170, is paying for the work. State lawmakers approved it in 2015.
When considering all project costs, such as design, right of way and construction, the total cost is $139 million.
About the Project
The State Route 162 widening will expand the roadway from two to four lanes. Closer to I-20, between Flat Shoals Road and the interstate, it will widen the highway from four to six lanes. The project also includes a center median. Finally, there will be a five-foot sidewalk and ten-foot shared-use path on either side. This can accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
Georgia DOT held a virtual open house about the project in 2020. The open house remains available for the public to view. It offers a concept layout previewing the future project as well as other materials.
Last month, Georgia DOT awarded another major construction contract in Rockdale County. The rebuild of I-20 at SR 20 / SR 138 will construct a single-point urban interchange. That project is also estimated to be complete in 2028.
Featured image shows SR 162 exit signage on I-20. AARoads photo.
