Utility Line Surprises Delay Old Milton Intersection Project

Work to improve the Old Milton Parkway-North Point Parkway intersection got delayed when contractors found unmapped utilities that had to be moved.

Crews were back to work on Monday, but discovering the additional utilities caused problems.

"Originally, we were notified that there were five utility facilities that would need to be relocated for this project," said Mark McKinnon, a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).  "As the project began to unfold, six additional utilities were discovered. So, we had to stop work until we could contact those utility companies and have them come out to relocate their lines."

The utility companies moved their lines and work has resumed. Completion is expected in December of this year.

A water line needed some adjustments and a new valve installed, which also contributed to the delay.

There was a water line that had to have some adjustments and a new valve installed and that did contribute to some of the delay time.

McKinnon said this isn't unusual.

"It occurs often due to old utility lines that are not marked and unknown to the utility companies because many years ago the utilities just buried their lines and moved on without keeping good records of where they were located," he said.

McKinnon said GDOT continues to try to gather accurate utility information before construction begins, "but we can't fix the problems associated with old record keeping."

Better records are kept now and as time passes, McKinnon expects this to become less of a problem.

GDOT is in charge of the $1.23 million project because it involves a state highway, GA 120 (Old Milton Parkway). The intersection will have two left turn lanes at every approach, and additional right turn lanes.

State and local funds are being used on the project, with C.W. Matthews as the contractor. This company also was the contractor for Alpharetta's Haynes Bridge Road relocation and roundabout project.