MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb County is working on a project to repave their worst roads. The county has dedicated nearly $15 million in funds to repave and repair roads under their Paving the Way Road Improvement Project.
Cheyenne Rowntree-Dent works at Innovative Fiber Technologies on Columbus Road. She says she often sees accidents caused by the terrible potholes and cracks.
"We have witnessed people just blow through these roads," Rowntree-Dent said.
The sections of Columbus Road that are being repaved are Pineworth Road to Heath Road, Knoxville Road to Pineworth Road, and U.S. 80 to Tidwell Road.
“High rates of speed coming this way usually about right here in this congestion is where we tend to see the accidents," Rowntree-Dent said.
Katrina McAllaster owns the Roosters' Odds and Ends Thrift Store. She says she's had to call in several reports of damaged roads causing accidents in the front of her shop.
"It's scary because I mean I've had a lot of them that almost got hit with the speeding plus the potholes I've seen accidents," McAllaster said.
This initiative is funded by SPLOST, a penny-per-dollar sales tax that raises funds for specific projects. On top of that, they're funding the replavement through their general fund and state grants. All told, that's $15 million for county roads.
According to county manager Keith Moffett, they are preparing the next list of roads that can be fixed up.
"You know that's very good because it will help everybody's vehicles,” McAllaster said.
The roads will be completed within a week and Reeves' Construction workers will be repaving 2.5 miles of Columbus roads.
"Definitely needs some work. I'm glad they are fixing the road. My business is out on the street every day working," Rowntree-Dent said.