SR 15 Bypass Construction Project from SR 15 to SR 242 (Project #0013616)

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0013616
Type: New Road Construction
Project Length: 3.7 miles
Affected Counties: Washington
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 21
Estimated Cost: $38,644,045
Right-of-Way Funds: $2,540,000

Description

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to construct a four travel lane SR 15 bypass east of the cities of Tennille and Sandersville in Washington County. Project #0013616 would start the bypass on SR 15 near the Boatwright Road intersection and would proceed north for 3.7 miles, terminating at SR 242/Bartow Road. The bypass would cross Grady Mertz Road/Old Harrison Road and Holmes Cannery Road, and would have a proposed right-of-way of approximately 200-300 feet in width.

GDOT claims that Project #0013616 will provide improved access to the major towns along the corridor through medians and selected median openings while also providing for additional capacity for trucks and residents to access local and regional businesses and other state routes.

GDOT hosted a public involvement open house on the SR 15 Bypass Construction Project on April 23, 2019. Project #0013616 is a part of the Governor’s Road Improvement Program (GRIP) which is a system of proposed economic development highways in Georgia.

The bypass construction process may accommodate improved access to the towns along this section of SR 15, but property owners on the planned route should be aware of the changes being made and how their properties may be affected by both the process, construction, and resulting traffic patterns.

Business and Homeowner Concerns

When the government decides it needs your property for a project that will benefit the public good, it can legally take some or all of it under the power of eminent domain. The Fifth Amendment requires GDOT to make you an offer of just compensation for your property, but it’s important to remember that the initial offer may be low.

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 fight for that compensation!

In some GDOT projects, there may be drainage and utility easements taken, which can be very tricky from a property rights standpoint. Sometimes, there are historic properties, streams and wetlands, and residences and businesses that require context-sensitive solutions to minimize the impact of a project.

Your property may be significantly affected by GDOT’s plans. Contact us if your property is in the path of this SR 15 bypass construction project, and we can discuss your circumstances.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

You have rights even though the government can take your land. GDOT has set aside an estimated $2,540,000 for right-of-way acquisition in FY2022 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 beginning – as 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

None at this time.

Project Maps

Map provided at the GDOT Public Information Open House.

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – FY 2022

Construction Begins – FY 2023

Affected Parcels

An estimated 21 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.

1-888-391-1339

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