Roadwork is on the upcoming agenda for the citizens of Rockdale County as the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) prepares to launch three major construction projects intended to improve the flow of traffic and safety on local roads. According to official details released on the Rockdale County government website, the projects include the expansion of State Route 162 (Salem Road), the extension of Courtesy Parkway, and a major overhaul of the Interstate -20 interchange at State Route 138/State Route 20.
The Salem Road widening initiative will transform the stretch of road from a two-lane to a four-lane highway, beginning south of Browns Bridge Road in Newton County and extending to Flat Shoals Road in the heart of Rockdale County. Plans call for a hefty median, sizable shoulders, and pathways to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists. The phase from Flat Shoals Road to Interstate 20 is also set to expand from four to six lanes, fostering smoother travel and potentially easing the daily commute for many.
The county is also getting an infrastructure facelift with the Courtesy Parkway Extension project. This project seeks to bridge the gap over I-20, linking Old Covington Highway to Flat Shoals Road. The aim is not only to provide an immediate traffic detour but also to accommodate expected population and traffic increase in the years to come, with constructions such as wider bridges and additional turning lanes included in the planning.
Finally, the interchange at Interstate -20 and SR 138/SR 20 will be reenvisioned as a single point urban interchange (SPUI), a move that is anticipated, to reform the flow of traffic significantly. This involves a comprehensive bridge reconstruction meant to stand the test of evolving transportation demands, and the implementation of a roundabout designed to curtail the frequency and severity of accidents in the area. Residents and commuters are being urged by Rockdale County to consider alternative routes to mitigate the impacts of the upcoming roadwork, which is set to begin this fall, as early as October.
