By Lori LovelyCEG CORRESPONDENT

Skidaway Island, a barrier islandoff the coast of Savannah, Ga., bor-dering Skidaway Straights, whichis part of the Atlantic IntracoastalWaterway, is linked to the main-land by Skidaway NarrowsBridge. Part of the DiamondCauseway, also known as theGeorgia 204 spur, the bridge isnearly 40 years old and by allaccounts, in dire need of repair.

Years of waiting for state offi-cials to fund construction of a newbridge have finally come to an endfor the island’s approximately10,000 residents. The GeorgiaDepartment of Transportation(GDOT) agreed to accelerate thereplacement of the aging SkidawayNarrows Bridge, awarding a $22.5million contract to UnitedContractors Inc., Great Falls, S.C,for construction of a new bridge.Eighty percent of the money

comes from federal funds, theother 20 percent from the state.

Out With the Old…Labeled structurally deficient by

the state, the existing basculebridge is prone to frequent mal-functions, but offers the only wayoff the island for vehicular traffic.Local lawmakers dubbed the proj-ect a priority nearly a decade ago,but a lack of funds and permitproblems impeded severalattempts to implement the plannedreplacement. State Sen. EricJohnson also blamed part of thedelay on construction of WhitfieldAvenue in Savannah.

However, when the I-35WMississippi River Bridge in

Minneapolis collapsed in 2007, itrenewed attention on Skidaway.Considering replacement of thebridge a safety issue, CountyCommission Chairman PeteLiakakis told local media that theSkidaway Bridge has malfunc-tioned a number of times — “andthey don’t make spare parts. Ifsome kind of disaster hitSkidaway, like a hurricane, we’vegot thousands of people who aregoing to be in trouble.”

Evacuation concerns aren’t cen-tered entirely on the bridge’s age;there are safety-related concernsemanating from its condition.Barry Dragon, director of thebridge program for the 7th district,refutes the alarm regarding the

possibility of a drawbridge mal-function leaving island residentsstranded during a hurricane evacu-ation. Moveable bridges normallydon’t break in the “up” position, henoted. “If a hurricane is coming,we authorize the owner to lockdown. Generally, that’s eight hoursprior to the forecast arrival of hur-ricane-force winds. We’ve neverhad a problem as far as evacuating,and I’ve heard every story thereis.”

The Skidaway Bridge is one ofabout 250 moveable bridges in theCoast Guard’s 7th District, whichincludes Florida, Georgia, SouthCarolina, Puerto Rico and theVirgin Islands. Today, bridge own-

Off the Island: Skidaway Span Replacement Accelerated

GEORGIA STATE EDITION A Supplement to:

Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479Bainbridge

Macon

Albany

Athens

Atlanta

Augusta

Columbus

Rome

Savannah

ValdostaThomasville

Moul-trie

Tifton

Blakely

Cuthbert

CordeleMcRae

Douglas

La Grange

Ameri-cus

Milledgeville

DublinOakPark

Lyons

Dorchester

Waycross Bruns-wickPearson

Statesboro

Swainsboro

Griffin

Madison

Cornella75

75

75

16

16

20

20

85

59

185

95

85

27

19

441

441

441

441

19

19

27

82

27

82

82

341

341

1301

301

84

8484319

82

1129

1

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”

Several cranes have been employed on the project, including a 100F Link-Belt 150-ton (136 t) crane,160-ton (145 t) Link-Belt cherry picker, 1610 American 150-ton crane, Link-Belt 238 200-ton (181 t)crane and a 1611 Link-Belt 120-ton (109 t) crane.

see BRIDGE page 6

January 262011

Vol. XXII • No. 2

Two hydraulic pushers are required on site for the new bridge.

Page 2 • January 26, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

The Georgia State Department of Transportation receivedbids for transportation-related improvement projects.

Following is a list of some of the projects let.

County: Barrow Contract ID: B13917-10-000-0District: 71106Location: Intersection improvements on SR 211 at HortonStreet (CS 696) and at McNeal Road (CS 754) (E). Project: CSSTP-0007-00(695), CSSTP-0007-00(696)Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• R.J. Haynie & Associates Inc. — $1,745,083• Gary’s Grading and Pipeline Co. Inc. — $1,812,282• Pittman Construction Company — $2,049,106• G.P.’s Enterprises Inc. — $2,092,752• E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. — $2,118,264• C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. — $2,297,210• Balwin Paving Co. Inc. — $2,411,043

Completion Date: April 30, 2012

Counties: Ben Hill, Irwin Contract ID: B13918-10-S00-0District: 74402Location: 13.881 miles of milling, plant mix resurfacing,single surface treatment paving and shoulder rehabilitationon SR 32 beginning at the Turner County Line and extend-ing east of SR 125 and on SR 125 beginning east of SR 32and extending south of SR 107 (E).Project: M004199, M004200Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Reeves Construction Company — $2,304,891• Ross Construction Company Inc. — $2,361,969

Completion Date: Nov. 30, 2011

County: BibbContract ID: B13921-10-000-0District: 73304Location: 0.3331 mile of construction of a bridge andapproaches on U.S. 23/SR 87 over Beaverdam Creek (E).BRST0-0037-01(026)Project: BRST0-0037-01(026)Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. — $2,253,984• Rogers Bridge Company Inc. — $2,271,223• C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. — $2,387,815• Gregory Bridge Company — $2,447,535• Massana Construction Inc. — $2,568,000

Completion Date: May 31, 2012

Counties: Bibb, JonesContract ID: B13910-10-S00-0District: 73304Location: 3.829 miles of milling, inlay and plant mix resur-facing on SR 49 beginning at Sanford Ave. (CS 137) andextending northeast of Griswoldville Road (CR 139) (E).Project: M004212Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Reeves Construction Company — $1,265,615• Georgia Asphalt Inc. — $1,561,354

Completion Date: Oct. 31, 2011

County: CobbContract ID: B13914-10-000-0District: 77702Location: 2.120 miles of milling and plant mix resurfacingon SR 6 beginning at the Paulding County Line and extend-ing to Powder Springs-Dallas Road (CR 4516) (E).Project: M004218Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. — $732,280• E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. — $779,833• Balwin Paving Co. Inc. — $828,871

Completion Date: Sept. 30, 2011

County: FultonContract ID: B13839-10-000-1District: 77702Location: Bridge rehabilitation on Lee Street (CS 1002)over I-20/SR 402 and on Westview Drive (CS 1002) over I-20/SR 402 (E).Project: CSSTPM00400055, M004136Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Massana Construction Inc. — $731,335• Comanche Construction Inc. — $982,568• The L.C. Whitford Company Inc. — $1,288,887

Completion Date: June 30, 2011

County: FultonContract ID: B13913-10-000-0District: 77702Location: 6.300 miles of milling, inlay and plant mix resur-facing on SR 140 beginning at the Cherokee County Lineand extending to SR 9 (Roswell Road/Alphareta Highway)(E).Project: M004219

Contractors and Bid Amounts:• C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. — $1,036,816• E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. — $1,147,817• Balwin Paving Co. Inc. — $1,189,843• Stewart Brothers Inc. — $1,381,800

Completion Date: Sept. 30, 2011

County: HoustonContract ID: B13912-10-000-0District: 73303Location: 2.498 miles of milling, plant mix resurfacing, sin-gle surface treatment paving and shoulder rehabilitation onSR 127 beginning east of Moody Road (CR 179) andextending to SR 247 (E).Project: M004192Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Georgia Asphalt Inc. — $557,729• Reeves Construction Company — $577,627• Everett Dykes Grassing Company Inc. — $594,787

Completion Date: Aug. 31, 2011

County: JacksonContract ID: B13920-10-000-0District: 71106Location: Intersection improvements on SR 98 at B. WilsonRoad (CR 286) and at King Road (CR 536) (E).Project: CSSTP-0001-00(933)Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. — $869,534• Gary’s Grading and Pipeline Co. Inc. — $873,684• Pittman Construction Company — $903,531• C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. — $1,015,479• G.P.’s Enterprises Inc. — $1,046,624

Completion Date: June 30, 2012

Jefferson • Morgan • Pike • Warren • Burke • Lamar • Fannin • Walton • Fayette • McIntosh • Jenkins • Laurens • Lowndes • Coweta •Calhoun • Quitman • Glascock • Walker • Tattnall • Ben Hill • Colquitt • Lumpkin • Randolph • Oglethorpe • Columbia • Gilmer • Bryan •Effingham • Putnam • Murray •Peach • Jefferson • Morgan • Pike • Warren • Burke • Lamar • Fannin • Walton • Fayette • McIntosh • Jenkins• Laurens • Lowndes • Coweta • Calhoun • Quitman • Glascock • Walker • Tattnall • Ben Hill • Colquitt • Lumpkin • Randolph Jefferson •Morgan • Pike • Warren • Burke • Lamar • Fannin • Walton • Fayette • McIntosh • Jenkins • Laurens • Lowndes • Coweta • Calhoun •

Georgia...

‘Peach State’ Highway Project Bids

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 26, 2011 • Page 3

©2008 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. Case is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC.

[Dealer Imprint Area]

FUEL FORTHOUGHT. CX130B CX160B CX210B CX240B CX290B

Move more material and use less fuel. It's really that simple. The Case B Series excavators featurea high-efficiency engine that delivers up to 17% more horsepower and 20% more fuel efficiency.This means you can pocket an estimated savings of up to $15,000 a year from lower fuel costsand faster cycle times. But that's not all. These all-around workhorses have cabs that are amongthe quietest in the industry with a long list of comfort features. So now you’ll get better productivityfrom your operators and your equipment.

SUPERIOR RELIABILITY FUEL EFFICIENCY OPERATOR ENVIRONMENT SERVICEABILITYWe challenge you to stack up a B Series excavator against any in its class. Contact us for a demo today.

www.borderequipment.comGeorgia’s Largest Case Dealer

ATLANTA3185 Moreland Ave.Conley, GA 30288770-322-6960

Fax: 770-322-6961

AUGUSTA2804 Wylds Road

Augusta, GA 30909706-737-9191

Fax: 706-737-3690

SAVANNAH109 Sharon CourtPooler, GA 31322912-748-2828

Fax: 912-748-2878

Stop by and see our new CONLEY, GA location!

NEWLocation!

Page 4 • January 26, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 26, 2011 • Page 5

* Offer good from February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, on select new models at Yancey Bros. Co. Offer is available to customers in Georgia only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Financing and published rate are subject to credit approval through Caterpillar Financial Corporation. Additional terms and conditions may apply.Subject to change without prior notice. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. ©2011, Yancey Bros. Co.

ALBANY (800) 768-2892 AUGUSTA (800) 446-5131 AUSTELL (800) 282-1562 BRUNSWICK (800) 299-5010 CALHOUN (800) 752-9804 COLUMBUS (800) 633-5240 DACULA (800) 545-2945

KENNESAW (886) 289-2228 MACON (800) 633-5180 SAVANNAH (800) 755-8382 STATESBORO (888) 764-6506 VALDOSTA (800) 755-6841 WASHINGTON (888) 678-3211 WAYCROSS (888) 948-2443

BIG SAVINGS.LASTING VALUE.0% for 42 months0% financing for 42 months* from February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, towards the purchase of a new Caterpillar® Skid Steer Loader!

0% FOR 42 MONTHS OFFER ALSO GOOD ONTHESE QUALIFYING NEW CAT® MACHINES:*• Skid Steer Loaders

• Multi Terrain Loaders

• Compact Track Loaders

• Compact Wheel Loaders

• Mini Hydraulic Excavators

• Backhoe Loaders

• Small Wheel Loaders

• Small Track-Type Tractors

• Small Hydraulic ExcavatorsCall your Yancey Machine Sales Representative today for more information on this offer.

www.YanceyBros.com

Page 4 • January 26, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 26, 2011 • Page 5

* Offer good from February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, on select new models at Yancey Bros. Co. Offer is available to customers in Georgia only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Financing and published rate are subject to credit approval through Caterpillar Financial Corporation. Additional terms and conditions may apply.Subject to change without prior notice. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. ©2011, Yancey Bros. Co.

ALBANY (800) 768-2892 AUGUSTA (800) 446-5131 AUSTELL (800) 282-1562 BRUNSWICK (800) 299-5010 CALHOUN (800) 752-9804 COLUMBUS (800) 633-5240 DACULA (800) 545-2945

KENNESAW (886) 289-2228 MACON (800) 633-5180 SAVANNAH (800) 755-8382 STATESBORO (888) 764-6506 VALDOSTA (800) 755-6841 WASHINGTON (888) 678-3211 WAYCROSS (888) 948-2443

BIG SAVINGS.LASTING VALUE.0% for 42 months0% financing for 42 months* from February 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011, towards the purchase of a new Caterpillar® Skid Steer Loader!

0% FOR 42 MONTHS OFFER ALSO GOOD ONTHESE QUALIFYING NEW CAT® MACHINES:*• Skid Steer Loaders

• Multi Terrain Loaders

• Compact Track Loaders

• Compact Wheel Loaders

• Mini Hydraulic Excavators

• Backhoe Loaders

• Small Wheel Loaders

• Small Track-Type Tractors

• Small Hydraulic ExcavatorsCall your Yancey Machine Sales Representative today for more information on this offer.

www.YanceyBros.com

Page 6 • January 26, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

ers generally prefer high-levelfixed bridges to moveable ones,Dragon said. Moveable bridges areexpensive to operate and run, inpart because they require bridgetenders.

“Their lifespan is the same asfixed-span [bridges], but their costsare higher. All of them are one-of-a-kind; if a part breaks, you have tohave it made. It’s not [on] theshelf,” Dragon explained.

Plans also are in place to replacethe county’s other bascule bridge,located at Causton Bluff, accord-ing to Tom Thompson, executivedirector of the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan PlanningCommission. Federal stimulusfunds will cover most of the cost ofthe design of a new bridge.

By replacing the aging structurewith a fixed-span bridge, vehiculartraffic won’t be interrupted forpassing boat traffic. The two-laneconcrete bridge will have a clear-ance of 65 ft. (19.8 m) to allowboat traffic to pass without havingto wait for an opening and will helpprevent Skidaway’s estimated10,000 residents from gettingstranded on the island.

…and in With the NewOfficially known as the

Roebling Bridge, the ChathamCounty two-lane drawbridge overthe Intracoastal Waterway isnamed for Robert Roebling, whodonated land on the island for anoceanographic institute. Roeblingis the great-grandson of JohnRoebling, who designed theBrooklyn Bridge, and the grandsonof Washington Roebling, whoserved as the chief engineer duringconstruction of the BrooklynBridge.

Its replacement will be a two-lane, high-level fixed-span bridge,constructed parallel to and north ofthe existing bridge, within theexisting right-of-way. The design-build contract includes construc-tion of a bridge and approach onthe SR 204 Spur over theSkidaway Narrows, said CraigSolomon, communications officerfor the GDOT.

The new high-rise bridge will be3,220 ft. (981 m) long and 38 ft.(11.5 m) wide, including two 11-ft.(3.3 m) lanes with 8-ft. (2.4 m)shoulders. Bike lanes will be

included on the shoulders. Theminimum clearance over the navi-gable channel is proposed at 65 ft.(19.8 m) above mean high water.

Preliminary work on the newbridge began with an engineeringtest to determine the depth neededfor the bridge’s pilings. Engineersapplied 1,200 tons (1089 t) of forceto a 3 sq. ft. (.28 sq m) concretepile already driven 30 ft. (9 m) intothe ground, with sensors recordingthe effects. The test was repeatedin the water to determine how deepthe piles have to be driven there.

County officials and othersbroke ground on the project July30, but Solomon said work didn’tget started until Dec. 5, 2010,under the direction of GDOTProject Supervisor Binyam Araya.Expected to be completed by July31, 2013, Solomon said, and workis currently on schedule.

Staying on schedule could be achallenge. Not only is the newbridge being built without inter-rupting traffic on the existingbridge, but crews will be workingfrom barges. Solomon said about40 crew members have to workaround heavy traffic while the onlyexisting bridge remains open toallow people to get on and off theisland. He also mentions environ-mental issues involved in workingaround a body of water.

Several major subcontractors

are already on site. TricorConstruction Inc., fromSpartanburg, S.C., is working on areinforced earth retaining wall.Scott and Sons Trucking, Rincon,Ga., is hauling dirt. So far, roughly15,000 cu. yds. (11,468 cu m) ofdirt have been used. Triad SupplyServices Inc., Pembroke, Ga., isresponsible for seeding and ero-sion control. Border Rebar LLC,Gastonia, N.C., is overseeing stay-in-place deck forms and furnishingtie rebar steel. Long Engineering,based in Atlanta, is providing civilengineering services.

Several cranes have beenemployed on the project, includinga 100F Link-Belt 150-ton (136 t)crane, 160-ton (145 t) Link-Beltcherry picker, 1610 American 150-

ton crane, Link-Belt 238 200-ton(181 t) crane and a 1611 Link-Belt120-ton (109 t) crane.

The laundry list of equipmentworking on the job also includes aCat D25D AOT3 articulated dumptruck, a Bobcat T300 B060 trackloader, Cat 140H CCA0284 G4motorgrader, Cat 325 BH29motorgrader, Cat 420D B8 back-hoe, Cat D95XL W9BO3244D2121, Ford F Series TR 134,Hamm 3307 28135 drum roller,Ice Hammer I-42 and I-46 pilehammers, Komatsu 51PX 2835dozer, Massey Ferguson 253 4WDtractor, Wacker BP 3534P and twohydraulic pushers.

The last phase of the projectinvolves removal of the existingdrawbridge on DiamondCauseway. If work on the newbridge remains on schedule, demo-lition should begin July 31, 2013.

(This story also can be foundon Construction EquipmentGuide’s Web site at www.con-structionequipmentguide.com.)CEG

United Contractors to Replace Badly Need Crossing

This Cat 140H CCA0284 G4 motorgrader is just one of many pieces of Cat iron involvedin the project.

A 160 ton (145 t) Link-Belt cherry picker hard at work on the jobsite.

A Komatsu 51PX 2835 dozermoving some of the roughly15,000 cu. yds. (11,468 cu m) ofdirt involved in the project sofar.

BRIDGE from page 1

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 26, 2011 • Page 7

GUCAClarifies OSHARegulations Concerning CranesGUCA members and guests gathered at

Buffalo’s Cafe in Athens, Ga., on Nov. 17,2010, for the Northeast Georgia IndustryMeeting. This was an open invitation eventfor GUCA members, prospective members,municipalities and government officials andmore than 20 members and guests attendedthis meeting. Members and guests also tookadvantage of the networking opportunity.

GUCA member Brian McCormick,Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt, provid-ed those in attendance with a presentationregarding OSHA Regulations ConcerningCranes & Derricks. His presentation coveredhighlights of the regulation and how itapplies to utility contractors. All those inattendance were advised to err on the side ofcaution since this is a new regulation and ithas yet to be challenged. He stated that therewill be some OSHA enforcement personnelwho may rule with a heavy hand. He advisedto know the law and how it applies to eachindividual job site and to make sure allemployees are qualified and that documenta-tion of qualified employees is in order.

GUCA members and guests also wereaddressed by GUCA President MitchStephens, John D. Stephens, Inc. He wel-comed everyone to the meeting and thankedFerguson Waterworks and John D. Stephens

Inc. for its generous sponsorships. Stephensalso encouraged the members to stay activeand participate in future GUCA functions

Those in attendance also were updated byGUCA Executive Director VikkiMcReynolds about upcoming events, safetyclasses, highlighting the upcoming AsbestosTraining and changes to the Large ProjectTicket Policy and industry and legislativeissues, as well as GUCAmembership and thebenefits provided to GUCA members.

GUCAMembership Committee ChairmanAngela Lance, Peed Bros. Inc., stressed theimportance of generating new membershipby promoting membership recruitment in thearea to strengthen GUCA’s NortheastGeorgia membership. In addition, sheencouraged all prospective members in atten-dance to become GUCA members and expe-rience the benefits of membership first hand.

This meeting was called a success becauseof the hard work and dedication of GUCAMembership Committee Chairmen AngelaLance, Peed Bros. Inc.; Larry Gilmore,Controlled Blasting Inc.; John Morris, HeavyConstructors Inc.; Bryan Ponder, Brock BuiltLLC; and the entire GUCA MembershipCommittee.

For more information, visitwww.guca.com.

Brian McCormick, Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt, provides informationregarding OSHA Regulations Concerning Cranes and Derricks.

By Jeff GillTHE TIMES, GAINESVILLE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) Here’s HallCounty’s situation.

It’s a growing county with mounting roadneeds and dwindling funding sources.

The Gainesville-Hall CountyMetropolitan Planning Organization has said$220 million is needed in the next six years“to address today’s development patterns.”

All this means motorists may be hittingthe brakes more often as they navigate Hall’scongested roads.

With rapid growth, the GeorgiaDepartment of Transportation’s ability to“upgrade capacity has not kept up,” said TeriPope, spokeswoman of the DOT’s District 1.

“In our normal planning process, fromwhen we define a project and say it needs tobe done, the average [duration] is about eightyears of work before we start turning dirt andthen you have two to three years of con-struction.”

The state has relied for years on its motorfuel tax to help pay for projects, but that potis dwindling largely because Georgians aredriving more fuel-efficient vehicles.

“We are the ninth fastest-growing state inthe union and have the second-lowest trans-

portation funding in the nation,” Pope said.“We’re not going to meet the needs at thatlevel.”

And the Highway Trust Fund, the mainfunding source from the federal government,“has been broken since September of lastyear,” said Srikanth Yamala, transportationplanning manager for the planning organiza-tion.

Georgia has $1 billion in stimulus fundingtied up in some 500 projects, with nearly 360of those having been “given notice to pro-ceed.” Some $7.2 million has been spent onmaintenance projects in Hall County,according to the DOT.

On the horizon is a 1-cent sales tax fortransportation in Georgia that could helprake in money for much-needed regionaland local projects, but it will need voterapproval before it’s a go.

A transportation tax was a hot legislativeissue before the General Assembly passedthe Transportation Investment Act this year.

The law allows voters within establisheddistricts — regional commissions —throughout Georgia to decide whether to addthe sales tax to pay for transportation andtransit improvements, from new roads tomaintenance and operation.

Each regional commission must knit

together a regional transportation round-table, including a county and city representa-tive from each county in the region. Thecounty representative is that county’s topelected official and the city representative isa mayor as selected by other mayors in thecounty.

The Gainesville-based GeorgiaMountains Regional Commission has 13counties.

To proceed toward a 2012 vote on the tax,the roundtable must decide on a final projectlist by Oct. 15.

Todd Long, former district engineer basedin Gainesville and now the DOT’s planningdirector, plans to run the meeting with thehelp of a consultant group, said DannyLewis, executive director for the GMRC.

“If we’re going to have a chance for ourcities and counties to survive in the future,they’ve got to step out on faith and do someof their own work,” Lewis said. “This maynot be a perfect plan ... but it’s the best thingwe’ve got going right now.”

Each roundtable will pick a five-memberexecutive committee. No county can havemore than one member on that committee.

If voters within the district approve thetax, the state would begin distributing pro-ceeds in 2013, with 75 percent of the moneydedicated to regional projects decided on bythe roundtable and 25 percent going to localgovernments using their discretion on proj-ects.

“We can actually give voters a timeline ofwhen they’re going to see transportationprojects occur that they vote on,” Pope said.

Something has to give somewhere fortraffic situations to improve, said Yamala,who believes the transportation tax presentsan “excellent opportunity” to do that.

“We can’t do business the same old way,”he said. “It’s literally not possible.”

“If we’re going to have achance for our cities andcounties to survive in thefuture, they’ve got to stepout on faith and do some

of their own work.”DDaannnnyy LLeewwiiss

GMRC

Hall Highway Needs Have Outstripped Funding Ability

Page 8 • January 26, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

www.wirtgenamerica.com

ALL FROM A SINGLE SOURCE:THE WORLD’S #1 BRANDS FORROAD BUILDING.

Rely on the Wirtgen Group’s full range of products for new construction and rehabilitation of roads. Our sales and service experts, based close to your doorstep, offer the expertise and all-round support you need.

ROAD AND MINERAL TECHNOLOGIES