Toccoa To Extend Big A Rd. Sidewalk

The city of Toccoa is undertaking a sidewalk extension project.

Monday, the Toccoa City Commission unanimously approved a bid to extend the city’s current sidewalk on Big A Road farther south.

Commissioners approved the only bid that was received.

That came from Martin Construction and Grading of Toccoa in the amount of $315,014.

Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse said that the project has been a goal of the city commission to complete.

“We decided that is how we wanted to spend our LMIG money,” said Morse. “That is money we get from the Georgia Department of Transportation. We decided to put a sidewalk on Big A Road. The current sidewalk ends at Fernside Drive, so we will extend it from Fernside Drive to basically Memorial Drive.”

According to Morse, that will put a sidewalk that goes all the way to the Wal-Mart entrance.

The city of Toccoa is receiving just over $98,000 in LMIG money for the project and city officials say the rest of the money will come from the city’s Commission Reserve Account.

City officials said the bid received from Martin Construction was a little higher than the project estimate that the city had put together and budgeted for.

However, Morse said that he does not feel the difference is a significant one considering the scope of the project.

“There was $298,800, something along that line (estimated in the budget), so I would say it is pretty well in line for a project that size,” said Morse.

According to Morse, the city had two other companies express interest in the project, but no one else submitted a bid.

Toccoa City Commissioner Gail Fry said that she is pleased that the bid came from a local company.

There is no word on when work will begin on extending the sidewalk.

Morse said the city hopes to see the project completed later this year.