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Bulloch County discusses paving dirt roads
New annex building set for construction; new fire station open in Brooklet
W Bulloch County Seal
Bulloch County commissioners discussed road conditions, the status of the new county annex and a new EMS/fire substation in Brooklet Wednesday during a noon workshop meeting.Bulloch County Manager Tom Couch suggested further discussion regarding prioritizing road work.He shared a list of more than 60 roads in Bulloch County needing repair or paving. Many road improvement projects are stalled by problems with getting rights-of-way, and he asked commissioners to consider whether they are willing to “invoke eminent domain” in order to get some projects under way.Eminent domain is a legal way for governments to claim rights-of-way to property in the name of public good and improving public roads.Several commissioners and staff members said they get calls and comments from the public about road complaints. Bulloch County Engineer Kirk Tatum pointed out that many citizens do not realize the many steps that must be taken to pave a road, including obtaining rights-of-way.The list of road needs is daunting at times, and, “There are more candidate roads (for improvements) than there is money,” Couch said.“It is very important to determine which roads we want to put at the top of the list,” said Commission Chairman Garrett Nevil.“I think right-of-way (status) will determine which roads we will pave first,” Commissioner Roy Thompson said.Commissioner Ray Mosley mentioned several bad roads in the northwestern part of the county and suggested looking into options to improve the worst spots.
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