Whenever we start a new road project, many people are surprised that our contractors have many activities that don't seem to involve the actual roadway. For the 8th Street widening project in Tifton, work has started on the roadsides with teams building new concrete curb and gutter, moving utility lines and clearing the spaces that will soon be part of the new lanes. If you enter 8th Street from the Interstate 75 interchange, you'll see the TIA project sign right away with all the orange and white barrels lined up along the work zone. You'll also see some new curb and gutter that shows where the new roadside boundaries will be.
You'll also see utility company crews working with excavators, digging up water and sewer lines to be relocated - when a roadside moves, all the pipes below need to move with it. New concrete pipe will be installed as the crews move eastward.
On the east end of the project near Carolina Drive, there's more new curb and gutter. You can see where clearing teams have piled up earth along the new roadsides - thanks to the residents in this area for their patience in their day-to-day encounters with the ongoing tasks. All drivers passing through are urged to be alert to the workers and their vehicles, and slow down in the work zone.
