Fayette County to seek up to $16 million in GDOT funds for two McDonough Road roundabouts

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to submit a competitive funding proposal to the Georgia Department of Transportation for design, right-of-way and construction of two intersection improvements on McDonough Road.

Public Works Director Phil Mallon told the Board the application window opened with little notice and the county would seek up to $16,000,000 in federal-aid funding administered by GDOT, requesting 80% grant funding (up to $12.8 million) and a 20% local match (up to $3.2 million). Mallon described the project as two roundabouts: one at the signalized intersection of McDonough Road, McElroy Road and County Line Road; the other near the Building & Grounds driveway, which would become primary ingress/egress for County facilities. Both roundabouts would include pedestrian crosswalks and be designed to accommodate future widening.

Mallon said the grant would typically be awarded by phase (preliminary engineering, right-of-way, construction). He noted local match for preliminary engineering (approximately $757,565) was available and that if the full award covered ROW and construction, additional match (up to $2.8 million) would need Board authorization and would draw on identified SPLOST sources. County Administrator Steve Rapson said staff planned budget transfers to set aside match funds if the grant is awarded.

Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons moved to authorize staff to submit the competitive funding proposal; Commissioner Charles W. Oddo seconded. The motion passed 5-0.