Road project costs continue to rise in Georgia

(The Center Square) — Georgia road projects continue to cost taxpayers more money.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said it awarded 13 projects — including six bridge construction projects — totaling roughly $104.3 million in June, the final month of fiscal 2024. With the June awards, the state agency said it awarded construction contracts totaling $2.6 billion in fiscal 2024, up from the $2 billion GDOT said it awarded in fiscal 2023.

According to a Center Square review of monthly news releases, GDOT announced 268 projects in fiscal 2023 and 202 projects in fiscal 2024. Though not a particularly accurate measurement, in fiscal 2023, the agency averaged roughly $7.4 million per project, while the number increased to roughly $12.9 million per project in fiscal 2024.

In January, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced a plan to include an additional $1.5 billion in the state's amended fiscal 2024 budget for the Georgia Department of Transportation for projects that "directly help move commuters and freight." Last month, the governor said the state would spend roughly 40% of the money on additional transportation funding that lawmakers approved to increase GDOT's capital construction program.

According to state officials, the additional capital construction funding should help transportation officials manage increased project costs stemming from inflation.

Georgia's infrastructure could use some attention, according to a recent analysis . Georgia's Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a committee of more than 50 civil engineers, gave the Peach State's infrastructure a C-plus.

"Georgia's high ranking is a reflection on the sound investments made in infrastructure statewide," a GDOT spokesperson told The Center Square via email last month, addressing only the categories that fall under the agency's purview. "GDOT is, once again, proud to lead the nation in road condition and improve our exceptional ranking in the category of bridge condition.

"We are thankful that Georgia's leaders continue to prioritize investments that enhance mobility and safety while supporting our economic vitality and enhancing the quality of life for all Georgians," the spokesperson said. "We will continue to work to enhance our system and serve as an example of successful infrastructure maintenance and innovation."

The $66.8 billion fiscal 2025 budget, which Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed earlier this year, includes roughly $4.2 billion for the Department of Transportation, including nearly $2.4 billion in state money.