After years of planning, public input, designing, City Council involvement, and other critical steps, the Morris Road widening project is now in full swing.

That is evidenced by these pictures taken over the last few days at the project site. They show contractors, heavy equipment, and the framework for what soon should be a broader and more efficient roadway.

Morris Road, which is in southeastern Milton’s Deerfield area, is being widened from its existing roundabout at Webb Road/Deerfield Avenue to where it connects to the McGinnis Ferry Road widening project slightly east of Bethany Bend. This is happening at the same time that the Georgia Department of Transportation works to add a new exit to-and-from Georgia 400 at McGinnis Ferry.

Ultimately, this stretch of Morris Road will be transformed into a four-lane divided roadway with a landscaped median and turn lanes. A multi-use path and intersection improvements at Webb Road are part of this same project.

For more information about this TSPLOST-funded project, go to https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/1212/morris-road-improvements-_-tsplost.

The Morris Road widening initiative has been about a decade in the making, having been listed as a priority in the 2016 Milton Comprehensive Transportation Plan. As with every major transportation project in Milton, many things have happened to bring it from conceptual idea to construction; the most recent one was the needed acquisition of property for right-of-way and easements.

Not surprising for one of the largest road projects in City history, the Morris Road widening-plus work should take about another year to complete. While crews are doing their best to minimize disruption, there will be times when flaggers will have to temporarily halt traffic in one direction or another.

In light of that, drivers should be prepared for possible delays. Pedestrians will be affected as well, since sidewalks may be closed so the work can be done as safely and efficiently as possible.

As always, we in the City very much appreciate people’s patience and understanding throughout this process, which is all in the name of progress.