Cobb County voters narrowly dodged inconvenience at the polls this primary election day thanks to swift action from repair crews. A gas main break at the intersection of Sewell Mill Road and Bill Murdock Road prompted concerns of access to a local polling site. However, diligent overnight repairs ensured the roads were open for the Tuesday morning rush hour and the polling at the Atlanta Chinese Christian Church Northwest on Bill Murdock Road, reported FOX 5 Atlanta.
Despite the potential to seriously disrupt the day's voting, workers managed to quickly patch up the leak, working into Monday evening to combat any effect it might've had on the upcoming General/Nonpartisan election. "Officials noted that the closed-off intersection is near a polling place that is expected to be used during the primary election on Tuesday, May 21," stated a FOX 5 Atlanta article. With the intersection previously closed, Cobb County's Department of Transportation was prepared to swiftly implement a detour to ensure that voters could still easily access the polls.
The need for a workaround was avoided as the intersection reopened early Tuesday morning. In a statement obtained by WSB-TV, Cobb County assured that the repairs were completed successfully and that "The polling place will be used in Tuesday’s General/Nonpartisan election."
Election officials were prepared for the worst but hoped for the best, ensuring all precautionary measures were in place. "Voters who use Murdock 01 as their precinct should be prepared to follow the detour to the building if work on the intersection is still in progress," relayed officials in a planning to accommodate all eventualities. Thankfully, the road work finished in time, coinciding perfectly with the opening of polls at 7 a.m., as confirmed in a WSB-TV coverage.
