GDOT Has Lifted Stop Work Order For Mars Hill Road Construction

The Georgia Department of Transportation lifted a stop-work order last week against G.P.’s Enterprises Inc., contractor for the widening of Mars Hill Road, that had halted all work on the road project since December of last year.

GDOT had issued the stop work order after discovering problems with storm water drainage at the bridge over Barber Creek that resulted in dirt and sediment entering Barber Creek.

G.P.’s, based in Auburn, Georgia, has been prohibited from moving forward with all work on the project except for repair of the drainage system at the bridge.

Oconee County Public Works Director Emil Beshara said on Thursday of last week that G.P.’s is getting ready to start paving again, and he does not expect any delay in completion of the $26.4 million contract by the May 31 deadline.

For more on this story, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Looking south at bridge over Barber Creek, with drainage pipe in center, across creek.