About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2017)
Page A2 Lake Oconee News Friday, May 26,2017 LAKE COUNTRY Progress continues on 1-20, halts for Memorial Day Wil Petty wil@lakeoconeenews.us. The Interstate 20 pavement improvement project, which is affecting traffic through Greene and Morgan counties, is over half complete. Kyle Collins, District Communi cations Specialist for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s East Central Georgia office, said the construction workers are grinding and conducting joint re placement on both eastbound and westbound lanes. As of May 15, the project’s status was 52 percent complete. The project, which goes from exit 113 (Georgia Highway 83) to exit 130 (Georgia Highway 44), is expected to finish up by Aug. 31. Collins said while this week’s storms have delayed progress on the stretch of highway, they are still expected to finish the $7-17 million project on time. Once the workers repair the four lanes, they will then focus on the exit ramps and placing re flective pavement markers, which help motorists see better at night or during bad weather. Collins said while there have been numerous wrecks in the con struction zone, they have not hurt the construction or caused delays. “We hate to see the incidents anywhere, especially inside our active work zones,” he said. “That’s why it is important for folks to be alert in their travels and reduce to a safe speed.” As part of the project’s con struction, workers are removing and replacing concrete slabs throughout the 17 miles of inter state. When replaced, new joints are placed to keep the highway connected and prevent splitting. In addition, the project involves placing under drain on the roads, which is used to keep water and prevent deterioration of the concrete slabs. Collins called water a “major enemy” for a road’s longevity, saying water can in the long term, erode the road which can cause slabs to crack and break. Another potential issue for the project reared its head in late March, when a bridge on Inter state 85 in Atlanta collapsed, causing driver pandemonium in the region. Collins said aside from possible higher traffic, the collapse did not affect this project. Collins said lane closures will not be taking place through the area during the Memorial Day weekend. Those hours start at noon Friday and end 5 a.m. Tuesday. The GDOT decided to restrict all construction related lane closures statewide through out the holiday weekend. The weekend is one of Georgia’s busiest travel weekends, and the restriction is to help traffic flow. For real-time updates on con struction on Interstate 20 and other regional highways, visit: http://www.facebook.com/ GDOTeast/ or http://www.5Hga. org/. The east district, district two, covers 27 counties including Morgan, Greene and Putnam. MORGAN COUNTY Ally Tax/Qwik Pack and Ship hosts business after hours Ally Tax/Qwik Pack and Ship hosted the Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours last week. Representatives from local businesses and a few govern ment officials dropped in for food and fellowship with Ally Tax owners Robyn Holland and William “Cos” Davis and office manager Kanesha Smith. Ally Tax has been operat ing since 2001 and became a family business in 2011 when Val Holland took over its oper ation. Robyn Holland Davis decided to expand the business in 2014 buy opening the Qwik Pack and Ship next door in a space formerly occupied by an eye doctor. Ally Tax/Qwik Pack and Ship are two of the businesses that have nearly filled up the now thriving strip mall on Eatonton Road that was almost empty just a few years ago. - T. Michael Stone Contributed Robyn Holland and William "Cos" Davis greet Madisonians attending the Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. MLBOX | 1TALS 1— — | 11 8 *; : I I __j ^ ** .... Contributed Owner Robyn Holland and Kanesha Smith, who wears too many hats for Ally Tax/Qwik Pack and ship to actually have a job title, although Holland says the closest one might be office manager. FARMV MARK MEMORIAL uyumua specials $3'"/ |b - House Made Hot Dogs *^.99/lb. Choice Ground Chuck $&99/H» Boneless Pork Chops $g.99/ea. Stuffed Hamburgers Fresh Pork Butts $13.99/ib Choice New York 7$'|Q.M/N > Previously Frozen Georgia Shrimp (16-20 per pound) Lobster Tails 8oz. Strip Steak Farmers Market Sat 5/27 Live Music by Pickled Holler Farmer’s Plate Sat 5/27 Fried Heritage Pork Cheeks with German Style Potato Salad Veterans and active duty service members receive a FREE coffee & cinnai roll at the Farmview Cafe. Fri 5/26-Mon 5/29 from 7am-5pm 844-210-7030 | 2610 Eatonton Rd. | Madison, GA 30650 | FarmviewMarket.com GREENE COUNTY Madison recommended by AJC for city slickers Madison was among 10 cities recommended by atlanta.curbed.com and the Atlanta Journal Constitu tion as quick escape city for Atlanta residents seeking relief for the hustle and bustle of big city life. The story published on May 23 singled out 10 small towns near Atlanta stressed out city folk need to visit soon including Madison, Blue Ridge, Buford, Carrollton, Hiawassee, Dublin, Milledgeville, Pine Mountain, Dahlonega, and Porterdale. The 10 are as destinations where city folk can “get out of town - and slow down” within a short distance of A-town. “With warmer temps here to stay, it’s a good time to consider small-town sojourns to study up on history (Madison), sip vino in cool mountain breezes (Dahlonega and Blue Ridge), or discover nearby villages with much to offer (Porterdale),” the story reads. Focusing specifically on Madison the website says the city’s “picturesque, ante bellum charms persist today, with one of the Peach State’s largest National Historic Districts chockfull of cel ebrated restaurants and well-kept Greek Revivals and cottages. Budget Travel Magazine recently notched Madison among the 16 most beautiful small towns in the world.” - T. Michael Stone Find us on Facebook! Just search for Lake Oconee News Zoysa types Bermuda Centipede St. Augustine Fescue Atlanta Metro Sod is a local disabled veteran- owned small business. We specialize in sod installation. Call for a FREE estimate! 470.899.8125 atlantametrosod. com Atlanta Metro Sod SERVING THE GREATER LAKE OCONEE AREA
