Chula Brookfield Road I-75 Bridge Project

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0010318
Type: Bridge Replacement
Project Length: 0.4 miles
Affected Counties: Tift
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 10+
Estimated Cost: $11,937,000
Right-of-Way Funds: $7,000,000

Description

The Chula Brookfield Road (officially County Road 421) bridge over I-75 offers substandard horizontal clearance by modern standards. As a result of Federal Highway Administration requirements, the clearance needs to be rectified. GDOT is preparing to correct the issue, update interchange (Exit 69), and upgrade the entrance and exit facilities.

The entrance and exit ramps in both directions will use teardrop roundabouts to help with speed control and traffic flow while maintaining that the bridge only requires two lanes. The ramps would have 8-foot inside shoulders (4-foot paved) and 12-foot outside shoulders (8-foot paved). While the bridge over I-75 would remain two lanes, the span would be widened to accommodate a future widening of I-75, with wider shoulders, as it corrects the current aging bridge’s horizontal clearance issue.

The longer span, wider clearance, and teardrop entry and exit roundabouts will take up more room, much of which will be taken from nearby property owners. Before you agree to sell your land to GDOT, contact an eminent domain attorney to make sure you’re being treated fairly!

Property Owner Concerns

Interchange construction and bridge replacement create a lot of headaches for local property owners, from “temporary” construction easements to strange traffic patterns and trouble with access. Current businesses, like the Marathon station, may face disruptions even as the improvements will likely increase development in the future.

As with any eminent domain taking, property owners are losing land plus whatever is on that land. The surrounding commercial property owners could lose parking, signage, access, and even improvements (like buildings) and fixtures (like underground storage tanks) if the government believes the land is necessary. Other property owners may find themselves with a very low offer for land that could have a much higher best use and, therefore, much more value than they believe.

In addition to the damages to the property overall, owners can suffer damage to the remaining land. Construction work may also interfere with properties, and “temporary” construction easements may last years. GDOT can cause harm by inverse condemnation as well. More than ten parcels are affected by this project. If yours is one of them, call 1-888-391-1339 now.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

There’s still time to exercise your rights if you have not accepted GDOT’s initial offer. The government has allocated nearly $7 million to compensate property owners, but it will try to buy your property for as little as possible. In many cases, the initial offer is often significantly lower than the value of what’s taken. You are not required to accept the government’s initial offer!

You have the right to fair compensation for property the government takes – even projects that claim to increase the value of surrounding property may ultimately do more harm to yours than good. “Fair” compensation could be significantly more than the first offer. Compensation for lost business income or expenses like relocation are almost never included in those offers. We can help you fight for them!

As long as you do not accept the initial offer, you can fight for more, and we can help. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not take an attorney’s fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – our no-fee guarantee. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you.

News and Publications

Evening Sun

The Tifton Gazette

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – 2025

Start Construction – 2028

End Construction – TBD

Affected Parcels

An estimated ten parcels of property will be affected by the replacement of the Chula Brookfield Road Bridge over I-75 in Tift County. Property owners may lose significant amounts of land and/or property rights, representing significant financial value and usability. It is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

Call us at 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

1-888-391-1339

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