SR 15 Widening Project

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0008017
Type: Road Widening and Improvement
Project Length: 14.8 miles
Affected Counties: Hancock, Washington
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 150+
Estimated Cost: $122,309,498
Right-of-Way Funds: $8,976,000

Description

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to widen and improve SR 15 (Warthen Road) from the West Warthen Bypass to the East Sparta Bypass in Hancock and Washington Counties. This project will cover approximately 15 miles, transforming the existing two-lane roadway into a four-lane divided highway with a 32-foot depressed grass median.

GDOT claims that the improvements will enhance safety and operational efficiency along this stretch of SR 15. The widening aims to accommodate increasing traffic volumes, particularly truck traffic, and improve access to local and regional businesses.

The project is part of the Governor’s Road Improvement Program (GRIP), which focuses on economic development highways in Georgia. Separate associated projects include the construction of two bridges over the Ogeechee River and improvements to the intersection at SR 15 and SR 22.

Property owners along the planned route should be aware of how their properties may be affected by both the construction process and resulting changes in traffic patterns.

Business and Homeowner Concerns: How Will You Be Impacted?

When the government decides it needs your property for a project that will benefit the public, it can take some or all of it under the power of eminent domain. The Fifth Amendment requires that you receive an offer of just compensation for your taken property, but it’s important to remember that the initial offer may not be the best offer.

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 maximum compensation!

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

GDOT’s plans may significantly affect your property. If your property is in the path of this SR 15 widening and improvement project, call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online today to discuss your circumstances. We are led by four attorneys who formerly worked for a state DOT, and we have decades of experience we can leverage on your behalf.

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 $8,976,000 for right-of-way acquisition for this project – but surrounding circumstances may complicate matters. We urge you to consult with an eminent domain attorney before 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 online as soon as possible for a free professional evaluation.

We will not touch the government’s initial offer amount, and we only charge an attorney’s fee if we can increase that starting offer amount. The initial offer amount is 100% yours – we don’t touch it. Guaranteed.2

And we advance all costs of fighting your case. If we are unable to increase the initial offer to you, we absorb those costs – not you. We set up the payment structure this way because we have helped many business and home owners, and we believe we can help you, too.

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

News and Publications

Project Maps

SR-15-Warthen-Road-Widening-Improvement-Project-Map 1

 

 

SR-15-Warthen-Road-Widening-Improvement-Project-Map 2

 

 

SR-15-Warthen-Road-Widening-Improvement-Project-Map 3

 

 

SR-15-Warthen-Road-Widening-Improvement-Project-Map 4

 

 

Project Timeline

  • Preliminary Engineering – Completed
  • Environmental Studies – Completed
  • Right of Way Acquisition – 2024-2025
  • Construction Begins – 2028

Affected Parcels

An estimated 150+ parcels of property will be affected by the roadway project. 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 this initial offer.

Instead, call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation to see what your property may really be worth.

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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