New Lane Opens on Georgia 42 in Locust Grove

Georgia DOT has opened the new lane on Georgia 42 in Locust Grove. The road widening project began construction in fall 2022. Remaining work to wrap-up the project will conclude this fall.

The highway 42 project extends between Bill Gardner Pkwy and Peeksville Road. A second future project will widen highway 42 from BGP to Marketplace Blvd.

Georgia 42 New Lane Opens

The new lane opened in September 2024. It provides motorists with a ”Keep Moving” lane when turning from Bill Gardner Pkwy onto Georgia 42 south. Further south, the two lanes split-off. The inside or left lane becomes the left-turn lane for Peeksville Road. The right lane continues straight.

MHF News observed on Tuesday that most motorists have quickly adapted to the new set-up. Some motorists were still yielding, however, when making their right turn. New signage, such as ”Keep Moving” signs, has not yet been installed.

Georgia DOT hired CW Matthews Contracting for the project in 2022. The construction cost was $1.7 million. The state and Locust Grove collaborated for the work. The state paid for the highway 42 widening. Meanwhile, the city paid for the new median on Bill Gardner Parkway. That project concluded in early 2024.

Future Projects

In September 2023, Locust Grove announced they would be receiving additional state funds for highway 42. The state committed $2.78 million. The future project will widen Georgia 42 between Bill Gardner Pkwy and Marketplace Blvd. It will construct a second northbound lane. This will also provide two left-hand turn lanes from Bill Gardner Pkwy to GA 42 North, according to the city. Construction should start within the next year.

In addition, Locust Grove is looking to implement phase 2 of the Bill Gardner Pkwy project. This would extend from Tanger Blvd to Georgia 42. The project will continue the center median. They have identified the Bill Gardner Pkwy at Tanger Blvd intersection for improvements as well. Both projects are part of the city’s SPLOST VI project list. Voters will consider SPLOST VI at the November ballot box.

Featured image shows Georgia 42 with the new lane open in Locust Grove, dated September 10, 2024. Clayton Carte photo.