Columbus has $1.2 billion in construction projects. See the latest updates
City officials have provided an update on current and upcoming construction projects throughout Columbus, including the Judicial Center, roads and designing a potential new Muscogee County Jail.
The Columbus Consolidated Government has budgeted about $1.2 billion in infrastructure projects between 2010 and 2024. 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.
Here’s an update on infrastructure and quality-of-life projects throughout Columbus.
Columbus Judicial Center
Construction of the $207.5 million new Judicial Center started in January 2024.
The interior framing is ongoing, and crews are working on the mechanical and electrical systems, Columbus Inspections and Code director Ryan Pruett told the Columbus Council during its Oct. 14 meeting.
Painting has begun in the basement and first and second floors of the eight-floor building, he said, along with installing acoustical ceilings.
Work also has begun on the exterior of the building, with the storefront and glass installation almost completed, Pruett said.
“You can now see the masonry both on the front and back,” he said. “The brickwork is starting to be installed (vertically).”
The Judicial Center remains on track to be completed next year, Pruett said.
Fire Station 5
Construction on Fire Station 5 at 6700 Lynch Road is moving swiftly, Pruett said. The project has a $5 million budget, he told the Ledger-Enquirer.
“Most of the brickwork has been completed,” he said. “It’s a very good-looking fire station.”
Along with the brickwork, most of the basic mechanical and electrical systems also have been installed, Pruett said. Drywall is being installed, he said, and crews soon will begin painting.
Columbus Fire and EMS administration
The former Georgia Power facility at 1100 Veterans Parkway is being renovated into new facilities for Columbus Fire and EMS, Pruett said. This project has a $3 million budget.
In what used to be the main lobby for Georgia Power, crews are working on a multipurpose room for Fire and EMS.
Restrooms also have been upgraded, Pruett said, along with work on new training rooms.
“The fire department has several new training rooms as they bring in their classes and get their folks up to speed,” he said.
These renovations are coming along as planned, he said, with Fire and EMS estimated to be able to move in by the end of the year.
Other Columbus facility projects
Work on the finishing touches to City Hall Phase II almost is complete, Pruett said.
The estimated move-in date for the mayor, city manager’s office, city attorney’s office and clerk of council is sometime in November. About a month after those offices move, the following departments will move from the Annex into City Hall:
- Inspections and Code
- Planning
- Engineering
- Community Reinvestment.
Specific dates for the move will be determined when construction is complete and the dates get closer, Pruett said.
The City Hall renovation budget is $25 million, he told the L-E.
Officials have begun designing the renovations of Fire Stations 4 and 8 . Both have a $4 million budget. Construction won’t begin until after Fire Station 5 is completed.
“The fire department is looking at, operationally, if we can do both of those renovations at the same time,” Pruett said.
Doing them simultaneously would be more efficient and save money, he said.
The initial design work has been completed for the Public Safety Building renovations, Pruett said, and a request for proposals has been issued for construction services.
“We have a laundry list of things at that building that need to be done,” he said.
This includes roof replacements and system upgrades.
After a contractor is on board for that project, Pruett said, more information on the scope of work can be provided. The project has a $5 million budget funded by the SPLOST.
The Columbus Golf Authority has reviewed finalized plans for the Oxbow Creek Golf Course clubhouse renovations, Pruett said. Construction is expected to begin this winter. It’s not a big project, he said, so it should not take long to complete.
Designing the potential new Muscogee County Jail started Sept. 30, Pruett said.
Officials are in the middle of the schematic design, he said, and have met with staff at Columbus Recorder’s Court and other departments that would be impacted by the jail project.
The Columbus Council voted Aug. 12 to allow the design process for a potential new jail on 11th Avenue to begin.
Columbus Councilor Toyia Tucker of District 4 reiterated during the meeting that, while the design process is ongoing for a potential new jail, no budget for the project has been approved.
“We have not allocated any funds or approved $500 million in reference to a jail project,” Tucker said. “We are in talks and stages, and the first stage that we approved was the actual location.”
Columbus road construction and improvements
Williams Road/Fortson Road roundabout: The final traffic pattern has been established. The project is expected to be completed next month. It has a budget of about $5 million.
Flood abatement project, 19th Street system: This project 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. Work is continuing north along Veterans Parkway, said Columbus director of engineering Vance Beck, and the project is “coming along well.” It’s expected to be completed in April 2026 with 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. Work is being done on the north side of this project to tie in all the driveways, Beck said. It is estimated to be completed in the spring.
I-185/Cusseta Road interchange: GDOT is managing this project, which is 67% complete. It has a budget of $58 million and has funds from the 2012 TSPLOST. The project is “going a lot quicker than I thought it would,” Beck said, and is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
SR1/US27 widening: With a $40 million budget, GDOT is managing this $40 million project funded by the 2012 TSPLOST. The project is 38% complete and “rapidly progressing,” Beck said. Construction is expected to be finished by fall 2026.
Spiderweb Phase II: This project began in April and is about 22% complete. It’s estimated to be finished in 2027 with a 24-month intersection closure. The closure will save about $5 million in the $45.8 million project.
Front Avenue - 10th Street to 11th Street: Crews are replacing a failed drainage system to reduce flooding along Front Avenue. Work on this project began in March. Some utility conflicts slowed the project, Beck said. The project is 65% complete and expected to finish this fall.
Bradley Park Drive at J.R. Allen Parkway diverging diamond: The contractor just completed the bridge header repairs, Gina Snider, district communications officer for GDOT, told the L-E in an email. Crews are working on the sidewalks, curb and gutter, she said, and the traffic pattern has shifted to its final configuration. The contractor also is grading and removing old ramps. It is slated to be completed in early 2026.
Upcoming Columbus projects
Infantry Road and Follow-Me Trail: This will add a new road from South Lumpkin 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 expected to begin by the end of this year or early next year, Columbus planning director Will Johnson told the council.
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 in December, Johnson said, with an estimated cost of $22.5 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. Letting is estimated to occur in spring 2027. The project is on schedule, Johnson said, and 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. Letting is set for June, Johnson said.
Fifth Avenue: A trail would be built on the east side of the street from 10th Street to 14th Street. The design phase is expected to be completed in December, and it has an estimated cost of $1.2 million.
13th Avenue, 17th Street and Linwood Boulevard roundabout: This project 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.
Chattahoochee Riverwalk repaving and maintenance: The city’s engineering department is working on a bid package, and it has an estimated cost of $12.5 million
Liberty Theatre block enhancement: This project will provide streetscape improvements along Eighth Avenue. Design is in progress with an estimated cost of $4 million.
Other GDOT projects in Columbus
Andrews Road improvements: Buena Vista Road to Cusseta Road. Ender design. Estimated cost of $6.8 million
Brennan Road improvements: St. Marys Road to Cusseta Road. Under design. Estimated cost of $9.2 million
University Avenue road diet: Gentian Boulevard to Macon Road. Developing concept report. Estimated cost of $6 million
Manchester Expressway at Central Church Road intersection improvements: Under design. Estimated cost of $800,000
Buena Vista Road corridor improvements: Will run from the Spiderweb to Wynnton Road. Letting will occur in June 2027. Estimated cost of $10.7 million
