Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - Installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Turner Lake Road and Washington Street/Ga. Highway 81 is underway.

Curb islands that currently allow motorists to veer off to the right are also being redesigned. As a result, motorists will only be able to make a right-hand turn at the red light.

City of Covington Transportation Director Billy Skinner said there have been several wrecks at the intersection, warranting the change.

The signal will be paid for by the Georgia Department of Transportation, with the city to cover installation costs.

Motorists should expect traffic shifts but no significant delays while the work is ongoing, and they are being asked to drive carefully and watch for construction workers. The project is expected to be completed by mid-March.

The light should help with traffic backup that occurs at peak times on Turner Lake Road and will be important later this year when a roundabout is being constructed at Turner Lake Road and Clark Street, according to a recent memo sent by Public Services Director Bill Meecham to the mayor and council.

The roundabout project is set to be bid out this summer, according to Skinner.

In other news, the city will kick off a sidewalk rehabilitation project in several locations around town Monday.

The project consists of repairing sidewalks that are damaged and placing handicap ramps at some intersections.

Sidewalks along U.S. Highway 278; Ga. Highway 36; Newton Drive; and Floyd, Emory Washington, Monticello, Church, Lee, Mill, East and Conyers streets will be improved.

That project is also being jointly funded by the city and state at a total cost of $114,526.33. The DOT will pay $69,782.78, leaving the city to fund $44,743.55.

Crystal Tatum can be reached at crystal.tatum@newtoncitizen.com.