VHB is helping transform US 27/SR 1 Hamilton Road in LaGrange, Georgia via a widening project that is expanding a two-lane road into a four-lane thoroughfare with a median, enhancing connectivity and safety for this growing Southwest Georgia city. VHB has been working with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to provide transportation engineering services and collaborate with stakeholders to steadily drive the project's progress and success over time.
The construction of the road widening project, which spans 1.6 miles, is approximately 50 percent complete, and incorporates important environmental considerations and the preservation of historic properties. A key focus for the team was the enhancement of pedestrian infrastructure along the road, including safer sidewalks and a shared-use path that is part of The Thread-a network of multi-use trails and greenways designed as a sustainable and pedestrian friendly connector system.
LaGrange, located approximately an hour and a half southwest of Atlanta in Troup County, is positioned along the busy Interstate 85 corridor. The road-widening also includes the construction of several new retaining walls to protect nearby streams and three embedded box culverts designed to aid in fish passage. Sidewalks are being constructed along the stream, and the integration of a sidewalk across a railroad crossing connects the community to the city’s Southbend Skate Park. These enhancements not only improve safety but also foster economic development by linking residential areas to downtown LaGrange, small businesses, industrial and commercial developments.
VHB's collaboration with GDOT and the City of LaGrange has been instrumental in addressing the project's complexities. Public meetings and citizen advisory committees have played a crucial role in gathering community input and support so that the project aligns with the community's needs and aspirations.
"Working on the Hamilton Road Widening Project with GDOT has been a rewarding experience,” said Jill Hodges, VHB Chief Design Engineer. “It's not just about improving infrastructure; it's about enhancing the quality of life and safety for the community, their needs, and aspirations.”
VHB has a strong track record of providing transportation infrastructure solutions that enhance connectivity and safety in rural communities, including SR 324 Gravel Springs Road at SR 124 for Gwinnett County and a Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Cherokee County.
