Andy's Auto Sport

Monday, July 27, 2009

Bibb: Traffic Shift on I-75 and I-475 Near Hartley Bridge Road

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces plans to shift southbound traffic on Interstates 75 and 475 on Wednesday, July 29, near Exit 155 (Hartley Bridge Road).

Beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 until 6 a.m. Thursday, July 30, motorists should expect the following lane shifts to be in place:

the current I-75 southbound (SB) traffic will be shifted to the left (approximately 48 feet) onto the newly paved lanes
the off-ramp on I-75 SB to Hartley Bridge Road will shift north slightly in order to complete the new ramp
the new exit from I-475 SB to I-75 SB will be opened to traffic
the entrance ramps from Hartley Bridge Road to I-75 NB and I-475 NB will be changed to reflect final configuration

The Georgia DOT notes that the above construction schedules are proposed activities planned by the contractors and may change due to weather conditions or other factors.
Motorists will utilize these lanes while construction is completed on the new lanes. As in any work zone, motorists are reminded to pay special attention to traffic control devices, signs and posted speed limits to ensure safe passage through the work zone.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Website (www.dot.ga.gov).

Governor Perdue Certifies $8.6 Million in Transportation Projects

Governor Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that he has submitted the required “1511 Certification” on three transportation projects that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“These funds include needed intersection improvements and bridge repairs,” said Governor Perdue. “We are using these federal dollars to improve our transportation network and to put Georgians to work.”

For more information visit Georgia DOT’s stimulus website at www.dot.state.ga.us/gastimulus .
The list of projects is below:

County
Description
Work Type
Total Funding

Cook
SR 7/US 41 @ Giddens Mill Creek in North Adel
Bridges
$4,263,368

Pierce
SR 203/Strickland Street @ CR 309/Old Alma Road
Intersection Improvement
$2,364,863

Pike
SR 18/SR 109 and SR 74 Intersection Improvement
Intersection Improvement
$2,000,000

Grand Total

$8,628,231
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Governor Perdue Dedicates Parkway, Rail Projects

Projects in Appling, Wayne counties vital to economic development in region

Governor Sonny Perdue joined local officials today to celebrate the completion of two transportation infrastructure projects designed to improve the mobility of people and products in the region.

Governor Perdue cut the ribbon on the Brunswick-to-Perry Golden Isles Parkway in Appling County which links the port of Brunswick to Middle Georgia with a continuous four-lane highway. The Governor also dedicated a new railroad passing siding on Norfolk-Southern's 183-mile track between Macon and Brunswick, the second big enhancement of rail traffic to and from the Port of Brunswick.

“Georgia continues to attract industry because business leaders understand quick and efficient movement of goods is a key to success,” said Governor Perdue. “These kinds of upgrades in our transportation network will ensure safer travel for tourists, better access for industries and improved connectivity in this area of the state.”

Formed in 2006, the 341 Alliance is comprised of development authority and chamber of commerce professionals from each of the eight counties that front Hwy 341 between Perry and Brunswick. Specifically, Houston, Pulaski, Dodge, Telfair, Jeff Davis, Appling, Wayne and Glynn counties are involved. Acknowledging the importance of the corridor to future economic development endeavors, the Alliance has been a strong advocate for completion of the four lane project.

The full widening of U.S. 341/Golden Isles Parkway now provides travelers with a direct four-lane route from I-75 in Middle Georgia to I-95 along the Georgia coast. Beginning north of Perry in Culloden and stretching to the Port of Brunswick, the Parkway runs through the heart of many small towns that are vital to the economies of middle and southeast Georgia. The expansion of the Parkway is expected to benefit future tourism development and industry recruitment efforts in this part of Georgia.

The Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority and Norfolk Southern worked together to build a passing siding on the line that runs between Macon and Brunswick serving the Port of Brunswick. The Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority was chartered in March 2005 and consists of six counties: Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, McIntosh, and Wayne. The current rail configuration was known to cause three hour delays as one train had to wait on another to clear the tracks. This system had the largest negative impact on unit trains with 60-75 cars carrying the same commodity and traveling nonstop.

The railroad passing siding on Norfolk-Southern's 183-mile track between Macon and Brunswick is the second big enhancement of rail traffic to and from the Port of Brunswick. The first came in September 2006 with the opening of Overton Junction, a 7,500-foot connecting track between CSX Transportation and Norfolk-Southern lines north of Brunswick. Previously, trains from the railroads had to go all the way into Brunswick and switch cars in two separate yards.
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Friday, July 17, 2009

Sumter: Georgia DOT Announces SR 27 Stimulus Project

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus resurfacing project on SR 27 in Sumter County has been awarded to Reeves Construction Company for $1,152,401.50. This project has tentatively been scheduled to start on Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m., weather permitting.

This 4.266 mile project will include milling, inlay and plant mix resurfacing on SR 27 from SR 30/SR 7 extending to US 19/SR 3 and also on SR 27 beginning at US 19/SR 3and extending to SR 30/SR 27 in the City of Americus. Motorists will encounter lane closures throughout this project; however, there will be no lane closures between the hours of 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

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Coweta: Exit 41 Off-Ramp Temporarily Closed Beginning July 21

WHAT: The Exit 41(SR 14/US27 Alt) off-ramp from Interstate 85 northbound will be temporarily closed in order for crews to pave the remaining lanes of the mainline and the ramp taper from I-85.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 21, beginning at midnight continuously until 6 a.m.

WHERE: Exit 41(SR 14/US27 Alt) off-ramp from Interstate 85 northbound

Motorists will be detoured to Exit 47 (SR 34) to exit I-85 northbound and then directed back to SR 14/US 27 Alt. Signed detour routes will be in place. Motorists are advised to anticipate delays and to avoid travel near this area of I-85.

This is a WORK ZONE and extreme caution is required. Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert, and channel motorists through the area. Drivers should be aware that personnel and equipment will be operating in close proximity to travel lanes.
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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Coweta: I-85 Closures Near Exits 41 and 47 on SR 16

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces lane closures on Interstate 85 near Exits 41(State Route 14/US 27 Alt) and 47 (SR 34) beginning Tuesday, July 14, through Friday, July 17. The closures are subject to change based on weather conditions.

SR 16 at I-85 East and Westbound Lane Closures
Wednesday, July 15, daily through Thursday, July 16
Near mileposts 13 - 14
TIME: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1 right and left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic in both directions

Interstate 85 Northbound Lane Closures
Wednesday, July 15, nightly through Thursday, July 16
Near mileposts 40 – 42
TIME: 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.
1 right lane closed; 1 lane remains open to traffic, for work near Exit 41 (State Route 14/US 27 Alt)

Interstate 85 Southbound Lane Closures
Tuesday, July 14, daily through Wednesday, July 15
Near mileposts 47 - 46
TIME: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1 left lane closed; 1 lane remains open to traffic, for work near Exit 47 (State Route 34)

The scheduled completion date for this project is December 31, 2009. Motorists should expect shoulder and lane closures on a continuing basis and are advised to use extra caution in construction work zones.

Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert and channel motorists through the area.

Coweta: Interstate 85 Traffic Pacing for Utility Work July 12

WHAT: Georgia Power will be raising utility lines across Interstate 85 at State Route 16. Officers will hold traffic for approximately 10 minutes every hour in order for work to be performed on the utility lines.

WHEN: Sunday, July 12, 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

WHERE: Interstate 85 at SR 16

This is a WORK ZONE and extreme caution is required. Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert, and channel motorists through the area. Drivers should be aware that personnel and equipment will be operating in close proximity to travel lanes.

Friday, July 10, 2009

MONROE County: Traffic Shift Scheduled at US 341/SR7 and SR 74

WHEN: Monday, July 13

WHERE: Intersection of US 341/State Route 7 and State Route 74, near the City of Culloden

WHAT: Motorists will use the newly constructed temporary lanes while the intersection is upgraded.

As in any work zone, motorists are reminded to pay special attention to traffic control devices, signs and posted speed limits to ensure safe passage through the work zone.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Bibb: Traffic Shift on I-75 and I-475 Near Hartley Bridge Road

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces plans to shift northbound traffic on Interstates 75 and 475 on Thursday, July 9, near Exit 155 (Hartley Bridge Road).

Beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 9 until 7 a.m. Friday, July 10, motorists should expect the following lane shifts to be in place:
the current I-75 northbound (NB) traffic will be shifted to the left (approximately 48 feet) onto the newly paved lanes
the off-ramp on I-75 NB to Hartley Bridge Road will shift north slightly in order to complete the new ramp
the new exit from I-75 NB to I-475 NB will be opened to traffic
the entrance ramps from Hartley Bridge Road to I-75 NB and I-475 NB will be changed to reflect final configuration

The Georgia DOT notes that the above construction schedules are proposed activities planned by the contractors and may change due to weather conditions or other factors.

Motorists will utilize these lanes for approximately 6 months while construction is completed on the new lanes. As in any work zone, motorists are reminded to pay special attention to traffic control devices, signs and posted speed limits to ensure safe passage through the work zone.
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Governor Announces New Design for Georgia Licenses, IDs

More secure features; harder to fake; and vertical license for under 21

Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is preparing to issue new and improved driver’s licenses and identification cards by fall 2009. The new cards will combat document fraud and protect the identities of Georgia’s citizens by using the latest credentialing technology.

“Everyone knows all we have done to reduce lines and waits at driver’s license centers, but another key priority of the department is safeguarding the identities of Georgia citizens and preventing document fraud,” said Governor Perdue. “These new cards will be the most secure our state has ever issued.”

New card production will begin at Conyers, Covington and Locust Grove in September 2009. Statewide implementation of the new system is scheduled to take approximately two months with all customer service center locations producing the new cards by the end of November 2009. All previously issued Georgia licenses and IDs will remain valid until the expiration date when they will be exchanged for a newly-designed card.

“We are very excited about these innovative changes allowing Georgians to have one of the most secure cards in the nation,” said Gregory C. Dozier, DDS Commissioner. “It is a bright and modern card that our customers will be proud to carry.”

The new documents are designed to be more difficult to counterfeit, alter or replicate. The license will remain roughly the size of a credit card. The new cards have several security features including ghost photos, a laser-engraved signature over the primary photo to minimize alterations and a tamper resistant coating placed over the card. The cards will feature machine-readable barcodes that can be used by banks, retailers and other businesses to verify the information printed on the front.

Fees will not increase, and customers will continue to choose between a five-year or ten-year license or ID.

“Under 21”

A major security feature of the new process is designed to combat underage drinking. Cards issued to those “Under 21” will be printed in a vertical format, aiding retailers and law enforcement in identifying minors.

Interim

Another new security practice will be the issuance of an interim driver’s license or ID. Interim documents will be printed on special security paper which is highly sensitive and will discolor after any attempt to alter it. It contains a photo and signature to allow its use for identification purposes. Interim cards will be valid for up to 45 days or until a permanent laminated license or ID is mailed from the central production print facility to the applicant’s mailing address on file with DDS.

Permanent License/ID

The permanent licenses and IDs will be mailed directly to the customer on a mailing carrier that is folded and enclosed in a generic envelope without exposing the actual cards. When the permanent card is received, the interim should be destroyed in accordance with Georgia law and to safeguard personal information. The carrier should be filed by the customer to access later should their license be lost or stolen.

Customer Service Improvements

The new licensing system includes a new data management system with electronic imaging to scan documents where they may be securely stored and easily accessed later. DDS has taken great care in safeguarding our customer’s private information. Each customer’s personal information becomes a part of the personal driver’s license record. It will remain confidential and is disclosed only as authorized or required by law.

When visiting DDS in person, a more efficient one-window-process provides customers with a “one-stop shopping” experience at most locations eliminating the need to visit multiple windows.

If a transaction can not be completed once begun, data can be filed and stored until the required information is presented to complete the service. A customer may visit another location where the stored information may be quickly accessed.

New state-of-the-art equipment will be installed including modern computer and photography equipment and printers that will be faster and more reliable.

For more information, please visit http://www.dds.ga.gov/.
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