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).
The Old Albany Road Sidewalk Project will construct new sidewalks 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. This project will provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks for pedestrians to access access to 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 increased connectivity to non-motorist transportation facilities will 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
July 2026
- Box Culvert: Contractors are scheduled to perform pavement reconstruction at the approaches to the box culvert.
- Curb and Sidewalk: Contractors completed curb, sidewalks, and driveways on the west side of the project and have poured curb and gutter on the east side of the project. This work will continue over the next three weeks.
- Grading/Embankment/Erosion: Contractors continue installing permanent sod and erosion control measures throughout the project area. Final grading operations will continue over the next couple of weeks.
- Gravity Walls: Contractors completed construction of gravity walls throughout the project area.
- Maintenance of Traffic Control: The contractor, HTS, continues to manage traffic signage throughout the project area. Periodic lane closures will continue during the project to allow the contractor to work safely. Flaggers are on site directing traffic throughout the project area. Travelers in the area are encouraged to select an alternate route or prepare for potential traffic delays. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area.
- Pedestrian Bridge: Contractors have completed bridge installation. The bridge is still an active construction site and is not open for public use.
- Rapid Flash Beacon: Contractors are currently installing a Rapid Flash Beacon for the new pedestrian crosswalk near the Hunters Chase Apartments.
- Stormwater Drains: Contractors have completed stormwater work throughout the project area.
June 2026
- Curb and Sidewalk: Contractors formed and poured curb, sidewalk, and driveways between Villa North Apartments and the west side of the project. This work will continue over the next two weeks.
- Grading/Embankment: Installation of permanent sod along the construction zone is underway, and erosion control measures continue to be maintained throughout the project area.
- Gravity Walls: Contractors completed construction of wall #2 south of Cannon Street and wall #3 north of Cannon Street.
- Maintenance of Traffic Control: The contractor, HTS, continues to manage traffic signage throughout the project area. Periodic lane closures will continue during the project to allow the contractor to work safely. Flaggers are on site directing traffic throughout the project area. Travelers in the area are encouraged to select an alternate route or prepare for potential traffic delays. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area.
- Pedestrian Bridge: Most of the bridge installation is complete. The bridge is still an active construction site and is not open for public use.
- Stormwater Drains: Minimal stormwater work continues throughout the project area.
May 2026
- Curb and Sidewalk: Contractors formed and poured curb, sidewalk, and driveways between Highland Street and Villa North Apartments. Formed and poured curb on west side of the project. Contractors expect to continue construction of curb, sidewalk, and driveways North of Villa North Apartments over the next two weeks.
- Grading/Embankment: Contractors continue installing and maintaining erosion control items throughout the project area.
- Gravity Walls: Contractors substantially completed construction of wall #1 at the box culvert location and began construction of wall #2 south of Cannon Street. Over the next two weeks, contractors expect to complete wall #2 and begin construction of wall #3 North of Cannon Street.
- Maintenance of Traffic Control: The contractor, HTS, continues to manage traffic signage throughout the project area. Periodic lane closures will continue during the project to allow the contractor to work safely. Flaggers are on site directing traffic throughout the project area. Travelers in the area are encouraged to select an alternate route or prepare for potential traffic delays. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area.
- Pedestrian Bridge: Most of the bridge installation is complete. The bridge is still an active construction site and is not open for public use.
- Stormwater Drains: Completed installation of storm drain trunkline. Minimal stormwater work continues throughout the project area.
April 2026
- Curb and Sidewalk: Crews have formed and poured curb and sidewalk between Bermuda Street and Villa North Apartments.
- Grading/Embankment: Contractors continue installing and maintaining erosion control items throughout the project area.
- Gravity Walls: In the next week, contractors are expected to begin construction of the gravity wall on the west side of the road near Oquina Creek and the north end of the project.
- Maintenance of Traffic Control: The contractor, HTS, continues to manage traffic signage throughout the project area. Periodic lane closures will continue during the project to allow the contractor to work safely. Flaggers are on site directing traffic throughout the project area. Travelers in the area are encouraged to select an alternate route or prepare for potential traffic delays. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area.
- Pedestrian Bridge: Most of the bridge installation is complete. The bridge is still an active construction site and is not open for public use.
- Stormwater Drains: Installation of storm drain trunkline and structures continues from Holland Street to the north end of the project.
March 2026
- Curb and Sidewalk: Crews have been mobilized to begin layout/set up for curb construction starting at the south end of the project.
- Grading/Embankment: Contractors continue installing and maintaining erosion control items throughout the project area.
- Maintenance of Traffic Control: The contractor, HTS, continues to manage traffic signage throughout the project area. Periodic lane closures will continue during the project to allow the contractor to work safely. Flaggers are on site directing traffic throughout the project area. Travelers in the area are encouraged to select an alternate route or prepare for potential traffic delays. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area.
- Pedestrian Bridge: The majority of the bridge installation is complete. The bridge is still an active construction site and is not open for public use.
- Stormwater Drains: Installation of the storm drain trunkline and structures continues in the vicinity of Holland Street and the end of the project.
February 2026
- Clearing & Grubbing: Minimal clearing and grubbing activities continue throughout the project site.
- Grading/Embankment: Contractors continue installing and maintaining erosion control items throughout the project area.
- Maintenance of Traffic Control: The contractor, HTS, continues to manage traffic signage throughout the project area. Periodic lane closures will continue during the project to allow the contractor to work safely. Flaggers are on site directing traffic throughout the project area. Travelers in the area are encouraged to select an alternate route or prepare for potential traffic delays. Google Maps has been updated with the detour information to help travelers unfamiliar with this area.