DOT to contribute $800k to slope stabilization project

As previously reported earlier this month, officials with the State of Georgia declined to fund a portion of the repairs for the W. Currahee Street/Dicks Hill Parkway slope stabilization project.

However, as of Thursday, Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers told WNEG News that the Georgia Department of Transportation has recently agreed to contribute $800,000 towards the $2-million project.

­Ayers wrote in an email that she has requested to meet in Atlanta with critical parties from Stephens County, the City of Toccoa, Patterson Pump, DOT, Legislation and Camp Toccoa in hopes of securing more funding from the state.

Officials with the DOT provided Ayers with two dates they would be available to meet.

Ayers is currently working towards selecting a date that will allow the most to attend.

In December of 2017, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners made the decision to immediately close a portion of W. Currahee Street, formerly Dick’s Hill Parkway, to all traffic near 4989 W. Currahee Street.

This portion of road was closed due to the safety of drivers being compromised.

Because of the complexity of the project, the county was unable to complete it in house; which created greater challenges and slowed the process down.

In April, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners awarded Hayward Baker Incorporated a design build to repair the slope in the amount of $2.1-million, dependent on funding from the State of Georgia.

Ayers told WNEG News that if the DOT declines to provide additional funding, then the project would continue to be delayed.