Columbia County says Hardy McManus widening has begun; utility relocations and roundabouts planned

Columbia County project manager Brian Harrington said construction began in October on the Hardy McManus Road Widening Project, a multi-year effort that county officials expect will add lanes, install curb and gutter, and build three roundabouts to improve traffic flow and safety.

"We end up having 3 lanes with a veil lane at all the subdivisions to alleviate the traffic," Harrington said, describing the finished roadway, and listing roundabouts at Dolphin Way, Allesbury and Halali Farm Road.

Harrington said the project has been in planning for about six years. That work included topographic surveys, design coordination to avoid utility conflicts, and plan approvals before the county proceeded to right-of-way acquisition and bidding. "After the plans get approved and we know what we're gonna build, then we have to do the right of way acquisition and talk to every property owner," he said.

In the field, crews began with surveying and clearing. Harrington identified the clearing contractor as Big Dawg and said crews are removing large trees and grubbing stumps; stumps near utilities will be addressed before Georgia Power relocates poles along the corridor. "One of the first things we have to do is get the aerial utilities moved back," he said, adding that moving poles allows crews to complete underground water and storm sewer work.

Harrington emphasized sequencing: pole relocations will progress along the length of the project while crews follow to transfer services to new poles, install storm sewers and water lines, then prepare the new surface. He cautioned that crews sometimes find unexpected underground utilities, which can slow progress.

As a traffic-safety measure, the county has reduced the posted speed limit to 35 miles per hour from the end of the project segment to Pierce Ferry Road. "We just asked the public's patience and slow down as you come through the work zones," Harrington said.

Community Engagement Specialist Hallie Turner, host of the Building Columbia County series, said the county will return to the site "in a couple of months" to report further progress. Officials did not specify funding sources, bid amounts, or expected completion milestones beyond the four-year horizon mentioned in the interview.