Mars Hill Road Widening On Schedule Even Without Federal Funding, Oconee County Officials Say

Oconee County officials now believe that the lack of Congressional action to address a projected shortfall in federal highway funding will not affect the pending Mars Hill Road widening project.

Emil Beshara, director of the county's public works department, told the Citizens Advisory Committee on Land Use and Transportation Planning Tuesday that he expects the state to let bids for the project in July.

The project has been in the works for more than 12 years, Beshare said, and is about to become “reality.”

The widening will take about three years to complete, Beshara said, and citizens will see action all along the roadway between SR 316 and Butler's Crossing soon after the bid is awarded.

For more on the story, including a video of Beshara’s comments, go to Oconee County Observations.