Two sections of truck climbing lanes are currently being constructed along State Route 20 in Georgia. The project begins approximately 600 ft. (182 m) west of Union Hill Road/CR 762 at mile post 15.96 and ends 1,500 ft. (457 m) east of Greenwood Court/CR 1968 at mile post 22.40.

The project was awarded by the Georgia Department of Transportation to C. W. Matthews Contracting Co., Marietta, Ga., for a full dollar amount of $7,608,028.07. Chris Bennett serves as project superintendent.

Notice to proceed was given on July 30, 2010. Work began on Sept. 20, 2010, and the job is on schedule for a completion date of July 31, 2013.

The contract calls for the construction of 4.3 mi. (6.9 km) of truck passing lanes on SR 20, beginning west of Union Hill Road and extending east of Greenwood Court.

The first section will add a 12-ft. wide westbound lane beginning approximately 850 ft. (259 m) west of Shady Lane and continuing east of Macedonia Forest Circle. This section will be symmetrical except for the area around Beavers Ranch, where widening would occur to the south.

The second section will add a 12-ft. (3.6 m) wide eastbound lane beginning approximately 1,300 ft. (396 m) west of the SR 20 at SR 369 intersection and continuing east, ending approximately 1,400 ft. (426 m) east of Greenwood Court.

In addition, the project will realign and reconstruct intersections on State Route 20 at Union Hill Road and Harmony Drive, Cotton Road, Old Orange Mill Road and State Route 369.

Bennett noted that heavy traffic conditions in the area have presented a challenge. Another difficulty has been working with limited right of way due to historical and environmentally sensitive areas.

“A unique aspect was the removal and disposal of an abandoned Cherokee County water line that was made with asbestos,” Bennett said. “This required special permits and a special disposal site.”

The 4.3 mi. of road construction include 51,810 tons (47,001 t) of asphalt and 14,679 tons (13,316 t) of asbestos pipe removal. Earthmoving included 110,000 cu. yds. (76,455 cu m) of excavation with 70,000 cu. yds. (53,518 cu m) moved to on-site fills and 40,000 cu. yds. (30,582 cu m) to offsite waste areas.

Major subcontractors include F.L. Haynie for drainage structures, S.E.E.D. for erosion control fencing, BC Landscaping for temporary and permanent grassing, Peek Pavement Markings for traffic striping, North Cherokee Electrical for traffic signal installation, Diversified Environmental for asbestos pipe removal and Mother Trucker for dirt and aggregate hauling.

Major equipment used on the job includes a Caterpillar 345 excavator, a Caterpillar 12H motorgrader, a Caterpillar D4 dozer with Topcon millimeter GPS controls, a Caterpillar 321 zero turn excavator and Caterpillar smooth drum and sheepsfoot rollers.

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