Senator Larry Walker III from Perry shared some exciting news for people living in Dodge County, Georgia. The county is getting $4.4 million to help fix and improve roads. The money comes from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB). That’s a program run by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) that gives money to help counties build and repair roads.
This investment includes:A $2 million grant (which does not need to be paid back)
A $2.43 million loan with low interest (which will be paid back slowly over time)
All of this money will go toward something called the Dodge County Road Improvement Program. That’s a big plan to fix roads that are worn out, make roads safer, and make it easier for people and trucks to get where they need to go.
“This is a big win for Dodge County,” said Sen. Walker. “It helps people drive more safely, supports local businesses, and deals with the damage from all the big trucks on the road.”
What Roads Will Be Fixed?
The plan includes three major projects:
- Bill Mullis Road – This road will be paved from Roddy Highway to State Route 87. That’s about 3.7 miles of smoother driving.
- Milan Eastman Road – This road will be completely rebuilt using something called full-depth reclamation. That means they’ll fix it from the very bottom to the top because it’s been damaged by heavy freight trucks. This will happen from State Route 117 to State Route 280, covering 8.2 miles.
- Zion Hill Church Road – This road will be resurfaced, which means adding a fresh, smooth top layer. That will happen from Antioch Church Road to Coody Road, covering 4.5 miles.
All together, that’s over 16 miles of roads being improved!
Why Is This Important?
Dodge County leaders decided to combine these three road jobs into one big project. That way, they can save money and get the work done much faster. In fact, doing it all at once helps them finish the work about 10 years sooner than if they did each road separately.
This also means that taxpayer dollars go further, which is another way of saying they’re spending the money wisely.
Bigger Picture for Georgia
Governor Brian Kemp and the State Road and Tollway Authority announced that this year’s GTIB awards include $26.5 million for road projects across Georgia. Dodge County is just one of the 13 communities receiving help this year.
The money given to rural areas like Dodge County adds up to $13.3 million, the most ever given to small towns and counties in a single year by this program.
Since the GTIB program began in 2010, it has:
- Given out more than $240 million
- Helped complete road projects worth more than $1.2 billion
So, this program has already made a big impact across the state—and now it’s helping Dodge County, too.
To learn more about how the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank works, visit www.srta.ga.gov/gtib
Pros (Good Things About This)
- Safer Roads: Fixing old and damaged roads means fewer bumps, potholes, and accidents.
- Faster Projects: Combining the road jobs into one project will get them finished about 10 years sooner.
- Saves Money: Doing the work all at once helps save on labor and equipment costs.
- Helps the Economy: Better roads help trucks and businesses move goods more easily, which is good for jobs and local stores.
- Supports Rural Areas: Smaller towns like Dodge County are getting support, not just big cities.
- No Need to Pay Back the Grant: The $2 million grant is free money for the county.
- More Comfortable Driving: New pavement means smoother rides for families, school buses, and delivery trucks.
Cons (Things to Think About)
- Loan Needs to Be Repaid: The $2.43 million loan must be paid back over time, which means future budgets need to plan for that.
- Road Work Can Slow Traffic: While roads are being fixed, drivers may face detours or delays.
- Only Three Roads Included: Other roads that need work might have to wait until another year.
- Weather Can Delay Work: Rain or bad weather might slow down construction.
- Not Everyone May Agree: Some people might think other roads should’ve been fixed first.
Final Thoughts
Fixing roads may not sound exciting at first, but it’s a big part of making sure communities stay safe, strong, and connected. Whether you’re on your way to school, work, or the grocery store, having smooth and reliable roads makes a difference every day.
Thanks to this $4.4 million investment, Dodge County will have better roads much sooner, and that helps everyone—drivers, families, businesses, and future generations.
