VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has awarded the City of Valdosta a $36.2 million contract for the Jerry Jones Road widening project.

The project award was announced at a key meeting with city officials at the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority offices, which served as a platform to discuss the road widening project and other upcoming Georgia DOT initiatives, as well as review efforts ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene. .

The Jerry Jones Road widening project will improve mobility by building a two-way left turn lane onto the existing two-lane Jerry Jones Drive or Eager Road. It will also build sidewalks as part of the project.

The contract includes the relocation and adjustments of overhead and underground utilities, including:

• City of Valdosta Water and Sewer Facilities
• Georgia Power
• AT&T
• Southern Company Gas, formerly AGL Resources

“The Jerry Jones Road extension project represents our commitment to providing safe and accessible transportation for our community,” said Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson. “We are grateful to the Georgia DOT for their dedication to this initiative, which will improve infrastructure, reduce congestion and introduce pedestrian traffic to this corridor.”

Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, PE echoed those sentiments. “I hope this announcement brings good news to both Valdosta and Lowndes County as you have been through so much with hurricane recovery. This project has been a priority for a long time and I am proud that we are now close to starting. We ask everyone to exercise caution once construction begins,” said Commissioner McMurry.

Tim Golden, who serves as the State Transportation Council representative for Georgia’s 8th Congressional District, emphasized the value of state and local partnerships. “Working hand-in-hand with Georgia DOT to improve the region’s transportation infrastructure will bring long-term benefits to our community,” Golden said. “This partnership will not only address pressing road needs, but also ensure we are ready for future challenges.”

The Jerry Jones Road widening project is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2028.

Additional details about future milestones and timelines will be shared with the public.

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