Improvements to I-516 – Project #0008358

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0008358
Type: New Construction
Project Length: .2 miles
Affected Counties: Chatham
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 20+
Estimated Cost (excluding ROW): $78,744,421.41
Right-of-Way Funds (in PI #621340): $25,610,000

Description

GDOT PI #0008358 is part of a larger proposed solution (which also includes PI #0008359 and #0010236) to address congestion on I-516 (SR 21) and DeRenne Avenue. The project is being sponsored by the City of Savannah with oversight from GDOT.

PI #0008358 proposes construction of a new four-lane median divided roadway that would connect I-516 (just west of Mildred Street) to a redirected White Bluff Road via a widened Hampstead Avenue. The proposed purpose of the new construction is to reroute approximately 50% of the current DeRenne traffic from the intersections with White Bluff Road and Abercorn Street (SR 204). The project would also provide improved access to Hunter Army Airfield’s Montgomery Street entrance with construction of an interchange and a limited access connection to I-516.

PI #0008358 details include:

  • New roadway would have sidewalks and a multi-use path
  • White Bluff Road, south of Hampstead Avenue, would be realigned to connect to the new roadway
  • White Bluff Road, north of Hampstead Avenue, would be realigned to tee into the new roadway
  • 1 of 2 new bridges would carry outbound traffic over I-516 to facilitate an on-ramp configuration
  • The other new bridge would carry inbound traffic over the access to Hunter Army Airfield
  • Montgomery Street, south of DeRenne Avenue, would be narrowed to a two-lane, median divided roadway with on-street parking and sidewalks
  • Bicycle and pedestrian traffic to and from the Hunter Army Airfield would be accommodated on the planned multi-use path connection to the realigned, pedestrian enhanced, intersection with White Bluff.

If you have property near this portion of I-516, Hampstead Avenue, White Bluff Road, Montgomery Street, or DeRenne Avenue where these proposed changes are planned, it’s important to be informed and ready when GDOT gives you an offer for it. While this project is primarily intended to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance mobility, the process, construction and resulting traffic patterns may significantly affect your property. Get prepared by being informed.

Business and Homeowner Concerns

The power of eminent domain gives the government the right to take your property for a project that will benefit the public good. However, the Fifth Amendment requires GDOT to make you an offer of just compensation for your property.

GDOT, like most buyers, is motivated to purchase property as affordably as possible and may not include items, such as relocation expenses and lost business income, in the initial offer. We can help you identify if the GDOT offer is low, and we can help you fight for just compensation!

Many GDOT projects involve temporary, permanent, and utility easements, which can be very tricky from a property rights standpoint. We can help you here, as well. We often enlist the assistance of professional surveyors, appraisers, and land engineers to estimate the impacts of the GDOT taking of your property – and we front these costs.

Contact us if you believe your property may be affected by GDOT’s plans to build this new roadway in Chatham County, and we can discuss your circumstances.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

GDOT estimates that this new location divided 4-lane project will affect more than 20 parcels. You have rights even though the government can take your land. GDOT has set aside an estimated $25,610,000 for right-of-way acquisition for this project – but there may be surrounding circumstances that could complicate matters. We urge you to consult with an EMD attorney prior to accepting any GDOT offer.

You have the right to fair compensation. Remember: the initial offer is just the beginningas long as you do not accept it. We can help you fight for more. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We guarantee our clients that we will not touch the government’s initial offer amount, and we will only take an attorney’s fee if we can increase that starting offer amount. At that point, our fee is calculated as a percentage of the increased amount only. The initial offer amount is 100% yours – we don’t touch it.  

And we front the costs of fighting your case. If, for some reason, we are unable to increase the government’s initial offer to you, we absorb those costs – not you. We set up the payment structure this way because we are confident in the experience and know how of our eminent domain team, and we believe that we can help you.

Why? Since we’ve been in business, we’ve tripled our clients’ initial offers on average.1

News and Publications

Project Maps

Improvements to I-516 Map

Estimated Project Schedule

The proposed timeline for Project #0008358 in Fannin County as listed in GDOT’s project page follows:

Preliminary Engineering  – 2007, 2012, 2018, 2022

Right of Way Acquisition – 2025

Utilities – 2030

Construction – 2030

Affected Parcels

It is estimated that more than 20 parcels of property will be affected by the roadway project. Those property owners may lose a portion of their properties, or a significant amount of their value. For homeowners and commercial property owners in the path of the project, it is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

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.

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