FORSYTH, Ga. — Montpelier Road is a major thoroughfare in the city of Forsyth. It's a direct line to multiple schools and connects several neighborhoods in the city.
The city will use just over $2 million from SPLOST funds to resurface, widen and add better drainage to one mile of Montpelier Road.
The Montpelier Road construction got underway Monday, and drivers are upset that it's already causing traffic issues.
Jake Lauren lives near the road; he says it will be a huge complication for those living in the community.
“There's going to be a lot of backup traffic, that's the first thing I thought of. While picking up the kids, you're already waiting in line, and now we will be waiting in another line after we pick up our kids,” Lauren said.
Though he's not here for the traffic, he says it's worth the wait.
“It's a terrible road as to how narrow it is and the potholes that are on it,” Lauren said.
It's only been a day of construction. Now Mayor Eric Wilson encourages people who are dropping off and picking up to follow the city's planned traffic shift.
“We're looking forward to this project going smoothly. We know with any project there are always concerns. There's always anticipation,” Wilson said.
He says they will be working in 500-to-1000-foot sections.
“The whole road is not going to be torn up at one time. So it's important for people to understand. as they are working in those sections, the road will go down to one lane and you'll have to merge over,” Wilson said.
The road repairs are targeting water drainage issues. A lot of people in the area say it's a nuisance and in the meantime, they're grateful for the fixes.
“It's not great that it's going to take so long. But at the same time, a lot of us are glad that it is happening. Some of us don't have vehicles that can dodge the potholes that well,” Lauren said.
The project is expected to last a little over 200 days.
The mayor is asking for drivers to go southbound toward Thornton Road during school pick-up and drop-off to avoid delays.