Local & State Headlines

County studies railroad projects

• Upgrading select railroad crossings will ultimately cost Dougherty County an estimated $361,240.

Barbara Rivera Holmes

ALBANY — Dougherty County administration has prioritized its list of 18 railroad crossing upgrades, with the No. 1 concern being the crossing at Holly Drive and Hollis Drive.

That project, which the Georgia & Florida Railway estimates will cost $48,232, is the first of seven at a Level 1 priority.

According to county documents, the intersection “where the tracks cross the road is very rough. The cross- ties are badly deteriorated and need replacing. The asphalt coming up to (the) track is worn and rough.”

The second project is at Antioch Road and Stagecoach Road, where the condition of the crossing is different than Holly and Hollis only in that “the asphalt coming up the tracks is good.” That crossing also is projected to cost $48,232.

County administrator Richard Crowdis recommended Monday to Dougherty County Commissioners that the first two Level 1 projects move ahead using funds from the first special-purpose local- option sales tax.

The seven Level 1 priority projects — which also include, in order of priority, Honeysuckle Road at Wilson Road; South County Line Road at Groveland Drive; the 3400 block of Nelms Road; Gravel Hill Road; and Pecan Lane — are expected to total $361,240.

Items for discussion at the commission’s 10 a.m. work session also included an auto crane service body for the solid waste department from low bidder Transport Equipment Co. ($25,947) as well as the lease agreement between Dougherty County and the Albany Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

The CVB, an agency of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, will take up residence in the county-owned Bridge House on Front Street. The CVB will lease that space for $10 per year with the option of 10 one-year renewals.

Wendy Martin, interim president of the chamber, said she hopes the CVB can move into the restored building by summer.

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