Old Albany Road Project

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) partners with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in facilitating and providing an opportunity for local governments to pursue non-traditional transportation-related activities such as pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, and pedestrian streetscaping projects. The Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) improves the quality of life for citizens in communities across the state by providing local governments the means to pursue projects that might not otherwise be possible. TAP was authorized by the Federal Transportation Funding Act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21).

PI# 0015394, Old Albany Road Sidewalk, would construct new sidewalk and improve drainage systems along US 84 BUS / State Route (SR) 38 BUS / Old Albany Road from City Street (CS) 817 / North Boulevard to CS 790 / Plantation Oak Drive. Old Albany Road is an important entry into the City of Thomasville but has ditches with steep embankments and narrow to non-existent shoulders creating an unfriendly pedestrian experience. The proposed project aims to provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks for pedestrians to access daily needs, parks, schools, and industrial and commercial work facilities. At the intersection of North Boulevard and Old Albany Road, sidewalks currently exist which take pedestrians into the City’s downtown area, home to historic sites such as the All Saints Episcopal Church and the historic downtown shopping district.

The proposed increased connectivity to non-motorist transportation facilities may improve the community’s economic potential by connecting non-drivers to jobs, education, services, and community amenities and aligns with the City of Thomasville’s Comprehensive Plan (Thomasville Blueprint 2028). Overall, the project focuses on creating a more accessible environment by providing safe pedestrian travel facilities, improving quality of place, improving lifestyle amenities, and increasing safety by providing safer routes to school and daily needs.

Project Update

August 2025

Recent work includes: silt fencing has been installed throughout the project area to assist with erosion control measures; a significant amount of project materials have been delivered to the project area; tree and shrub removal has begun to prepare for storm drain and sidewalk installation.

July 2025

Recent work includes the following:

Traffic Control: the contractor, HTS, has placed traffic signage and implemented the planned road closure as of July 9, 2025. The road remains open to local businesses, their customers, and residents. This closure will remain in effect for the duration of the project (approximately one year). Periodic lane closures may also occur to allow the contractor to work safely. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area. A traffic control plan can be found here.
Site Preparation/Clearing: clearing activities are beginning, including the removal of trees and shrubs to prepare for
stormdrain and sidewalk installation. This will be especially noticeable near Oquina Creek. Initial storm drain work will begin near North Boulevard soon.

June 2025

The project kicked off this week. Crews began site preparations with an initial focus on improving drainage. This is a federally-funded project by the Federal Highway Administration through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and on a GDOT road. The project area is on Old Albany Road between North Boulevard to Plantation Oak Drive, bringing new sidewalks and drainage
enhancements to the corridor.

March 2025

The construction contract has been awarded. The city and GDOT are finalizing agreement paperwork with construction starting shortly after that – mid Spring of 2025.