Planning begins for new infrastructure project in Effingham Co.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – A new infrastructure project that hopes to improve roadways in Effingham County is officially in the planning stage.

As Effingham County rapidly expands, some of the current roads are struggling to keep up. To combat the traffic congestion, the Effingham County Board of Commissioners and City of Rincon are partnering up to develop what they’re calling the East-West Corridor.

WTOC spoke with County Manager Tim Callanan, who said the goal of the project is to reduce traffic congestion at the intersection of McCall Road and Blandford Road.

The route of the project is 5.4 miles, with a newly constructed roadway making up two of those miles. A roundabout will be placed on McCall Road leading drivers to Highway 21.

Rincon City Manager Jonathan Lynn says he understands residents want some relief on their daily commute.

“We want everyone to be able to move as quickly as possible to get home to enjoy their family. You know, it may save them 10 or 15 minutes, but when you extrapolate that out of a week or a month, you’re  getting hours and days back with your family,” Lynn said.

Lynn says school bus and large vehicle drivers will be able to travel much easier because of the new route. The railroad crossing at the intersection of McCall Road and Bluejay made left turns challenging. He says the new plan will keep most drivers from ever having to deal with the track at all.

“If you’re coming into Rincon from the Springfield area, you would turn before you ever got to that railroad track. And if you are coming through Effingham County toward Springfield, you would get off that road before you ever saw that railroad track,” Lynn said.

A timeline hasn’t been set for when construction on the corridor will begin. The total cost is also unknown, but Callanan said the project will be paid for through TSPLOT.

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