Construction Has Started on the McDonough Parkway North

Construction is now underway to build the McDonough Parkway North Bypass. This new road is the first major project to start construction through Henry County Transportation SPLOST.

The project will connect Georgia 42 and Georgia 155. When complete, motorists will have a bypass option around downtown McDonough.

McDonough Parkway Bypass

The idea to build a bypass around McDonough dates back to the 1980s and ’90s. After decades of projects, building one segment at a time when funding was available, there is now a finish line in sight. In 2026, motorists will be able to take the bypass from highways 20 or 155 near I-75 to their northern counterparts towards Decatur or Conyers.

McDonough Parkway North

Henry County approved a contract this spring to build the McDonough Parkway North segment. The new one-mile road will extend from Walnut Creek Elementary School to Turner Church Road.

Construction began in July 2024. It has an estimated completion date in January 2026. The project’s construction cost is $14.5 million. The work is paid for by T-SPLOST collections.

A signature aspect of the project will be a new bridge carrying McDonough Parkway over State Route 155. This is to accommodate the change in elevation between the two roadways. A connector road will be available between McDonough Pkwy and Turner Church Road, and SR 155.

The concept layout previews how this will look.

SR 20 at McDonough Parkway

Finally, on the other end of town, work is progressing to open the southwest segment. This will connect state route 20 and Henry Pkwy Connector. So far Henry County has built its portion of the new road. Construction underway now by Georgia DOT will widen highway 20. Part of their project is to build a new roundabout at SR 20 & McDonough Pkwy. This new roundabout will complete the connection between Georgia 20 and Henry Pkwy Connector. The Georgia 20 widening has a completion date in summer 2025.

T-SPLOST Projects

Henry County voters approved Transportation SPLOST in November 2021. The program is advancing seven major road projects in Henry County. The McDonough Parkway North extension is the first of these projects to start construction. A few others look to start in 2025.

Here is the latest update on each T-SPLOST major project:

1. State Route 81 widening, phase I, between Postmaster Drive and Bethany Road – Right of way acquisition in progress. The tentative construction bid date is in May 2025.
2. Bill Gardner Parkway widening, between I-75 and state route 155 – Right of way acquisition in progress.
3. Jonesboro Road widening, between Mill Road and North Mt. Carmel Road – Right of way acquisition in progress.
4. Mill Road widening, between Jonesboro Road and Peachtree Peddler’s Flea Market – Right of way acquisition in progress.
5. McDonough Parkway, north segment, between state route 42 and state route 155 – Construction bid awarded to Southeastern Site Development in April 2024. Notice to Proceed issued on July 15; clearing in-progress.
6. Rock Quarry Road widening, between SR 138 and Eagles Landing Parkway – Construction bid date planned for January 2025.
7. Fairview Road widening, between Hearn Road and SR 155 – Right of way acquisition to begin in August 2024.

Check out our latest updates for all road projects here!

Featured image shows an aerial image of construction underway on the McDonough Parkway at SR 155. Henry County photo; Clayton Carte / MHF News insert map.