Georgia Department of Transportation in October awarded contracts for statewide projects totaling $396.2 million. This includes awards for nine previously deferred projects in the amount of $264 million.

While the contracts represent over $396 million in awards, Georgia DOT announced last month that - due to federal funding uncertainty - no federally-funded projects would be released for bid in December. Last week Congress passed a three-week federal highway and transportation funding extension through mid-November. The previous extension ended October 29.

"I'm encouraged that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has advanced the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 for the full House to consider,” said GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. “A funding extension to November 20, 2015 indicates a willingness to achieve a long term transportation funding bill that this country desperately needs. The downside of the one month extension is that the funding will not adequately advance all of the projects that are ready to go to bid in December and January."

In October, the largest transportation investments are widening and reconstruction projects:

- In Colquitt County, $28.7 million 7.9 miles on State Road 133 from Old Berlin Road (CR 256) to Hawthorne Road (CR 388). The contractor is Reames and Son Construction Company, Inc., Valdosta, Ga. The completion date is June 30, 2018.

- In Dooly County, $25.3 million 1.1 miles on Interstate 75/SR 401, including construction of a bridge and approaches, and installation of a CCTV system. The contractor is Reeves Construction Company, Macon, Ga. The completion date is December 31, 2018.
Previously deferred projects that were awarded include:

- In Forsyth County, 5.1 mile widening and reconstruction on Bethelview Road (CR 455) from Castleberry Road (CR 8) to SR 20; and construction of a bridge and approaches over Big Creek; valued at $36.9. The contractor is CMES, Inc., Norcross, Ga and project is scheduled to be completed on June 30, 2019.

- In Ware County, 8.8 mile widening and reconstruction on US 84/SR 38 from Peagler Crossing Road to Fire Tower Road; and from Greasy Branch Creek to west of Ruskin Road; plus construction of six bridges and approaches; valued at $36.8 million. Scheduled for completion on May 31, 2019, the contractor is Littlefield Construction Company, Waycross, Ga.

- Also in Clinch and Ware counties, 10 miles of widening and reconstruction on US 84 from Woodyard Creek to Greasy Branch; and includes construction of 12 bridges and approaches; valued at $55.8 million. Scheduled for completion on June 30, 2019, the contractor is The Scruggs Company, Hahira, Ga.

- In Cobb, Douglas and Fulton counties, 15 miles of resurfacing and operational improvements on I-20 from Sweet Water Creek to Hill Street Bridge, valued at $40 million. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2016, and the contractors are C.W. Mathews & E.R. Snell, Marietta, Ga.

- In Wilkes and McDuffie Counties, 9.6 miles of widening and reconstruction on US 78/SR 10 from Smith Mill Road to south of the Washington Bypass. Valued at $41.4 million, the project includes construction of 2 bridges. With a completion date of May 2019, the contractor is Reeves Construction Company, Macon, Ga; and

- A $32.4 million widening and reconstruction, plus four bridges in McDuffie County; a $10.8 million widening and reconstruction in Chatham County; and construction of two bridges in Appling and Pierce counties.
In addition to a strong focus on maintaining and preserving transportation infrastructure, the Department also awarded safety projects including high friction surface treatment paving and guardrail upgrades in Chatham County; and roundabouts in Whitfield and Murray counties

Awards also include numerous bridge upgrades or construction, as well as three bridge projects to be funded from $100 million in bonds appropriated by the 2015 General Assembly. Since July, a total of 13 bridge bond projects valued at $39.2 million