Columbus is working on $1.2 billion in construction. See the project updates
City officials provided an update on $1.2 billion infrastructure projects, ranging from transportation to the Judicial Center, at the Columbus Council work session Tuesday.
Funding for these projects has come from various sources, including:
2012 and 2022 Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST)
TSPLOST Discretionary Funds
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 2021
Other Local Option Sales Tax (OLOST) Infrastructure Fund
Stormwater Fund
Paving Fund
Georgia Department of Transportation
Private donations and public-private partnerships
Columbus Building Authority bonds
The projects already were budgeted between 2010-2024 or will be budgeted, according to the presentation by deputy city manager Pam Hodge, inspections and code director Ryan Pruett, engineering director Vance Beck and planning director Will Johnson.
“I don’t care where you go in this city, there’s construction,” said city manager Isaiah Hugley. “And when people drive into a city where they see construction work like that, they know there’s growth and opportunity coming.”
Some of the construction may be inconvenient and disruptive, but “progress is on the way,” he said.
Hugley and other city officials visited businesses impacted by road closures and detours related to the Spiderweb project after a resident complained about the negative impacts on his business.
Here’s an update on infrastructure and quality-of-life projects ongoing throughout Columbus.
Projects under construction
Williams Road/Fortson Road roundabout: A detour is in place and crews are working on grading, drainage and earthwork. The project began in April 2024 and is expected to be completed in September 2025. It has a budget of about $5 million and is about 31% complete.
Mott’s Green Plaza enhancement: The project included a Chattahoochee Riverwalk realignment and re-use of existing donor brick and began in May. It is about 96% complete and expected to be finished by June. This project has a budget of over $1.4 million.
Flood abatement: This projects will install a new box culvert and flood basin to reduce flooding issues. It will run on the west side of Veterans Parkway from Apex Road to the flood basin near 29th Street. Earthwork and culvert installation is in progress, and it’s expected to be completed in November. The project has a budget of over $13.5 million.
I-185/Buena Vista Road interchange: This GDOT-managed project, with a budget of $47.7 million, is about 75% complete and has funding from the 2012 TSPLOST. The decks on the north side of the bridge are complete, Beck said. Crews previously shut down the interstate to demolish the old bridge and build half of the new one. Although the perception is that the project has been dragging, Beck said, crews have been working. It is estimated to be completed this fall.
I-185/Cusseta Road interchange: GDOT also is managing this project, which is 56% complete. It has a budget of $58 million and also has funds from the 2012 TSPLOST. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2026.
SR1/US27 widening: With a $40 million budget, GDOT also is managing this $40 million project funded by the 2012 TSPLOST. The project is 31% complete and expected to be finished by Summer 2026.
Spiderweb Phase II: This project began in April and is estimated to be completed in 2027 with a 24-month intersection closure. The closure will save about $5 million in the $45.8 million project
Bradley Park at J.R. Allen diverging diamond: This another GDOT project. It’s about 59% complete.
Upcoming projects
Infantry Road and Follow-Me Trail: This will add a new road from South Lumpkin Road to Fort Benning Road and a new trail along Fort Benning Road. Officials are waiting on GDOT to provide a revised construction agreement. It is anticipated to begin this summer and end next summer.
Steam Mill Road: This will include road improvements from Buena Vista Road to Pinecrest Drive with a pedestrian bridge over I-185 and roundabouts at Dogwood Drive, McCartha Drive and Northstar Drive. Design for this project is expected to be completed by August with an estimated cost of $22.5 million to $26 million. It’s funded by the 2022 TSPLOST.
Whitesville Road: The road will be widened starting on the north side of the bridge over J.R. Allen Parkway and ending at the intersection of Williams Road. This design will change the road from two lanes to three lanes with intersection improvements or roundabouts, a sidewalk and a multiuse trail. The project has an estimated cost of $14.3 million.
South Lumpkin Road: This project will provide road improvements from Victory Drive to the proposed Infantry Road. Officials are collecting public opinions for a three-lane option with an estimated cost of $9.6 million and a five-lane option with an estimated cost of $11.9 million.
13th Avenue, 17th Street and Linwood Boulevard roundabout: This creates a new roundabout at 13th Avenue, 17th Street and Linwood Boulevard. Design is expected to be completed in December with an estimated cost of $6.65 million. It will be funded by the 2022 TSPLOST.
Columbus Judicial Center
Construction continues on the $207.5 million Columbus Judicial Center.
The cast is in place and concrete activities are ongoing. Interior and exterior framing for the eight-story building has started as the structure is to be completed this summer. Construction workers have begun working on the sixth floor, and the project is on schedule to be completed by next summer.
Other upcoming infrastructure projects include Chattahoochee Riverwalk repaving and maintenance, Buena Vista Road corridor improvements, Liberty Theatre block enhancement, Morris Road improvements and Columbus Airport improvements.
