Construction projects under way on Chamblin Road

Those accustomed to a quiet drive along a forested Chamblin Road should prepare themselves for some big changes.

//

Construction already is under way for a new high school on Chamblin Road near Baker Place Road. Upcoming projects include another school, a law enforcement office and possibly two county offices.

The more than 225,000-square-foot Grovetown High School is being built on 70.4 acres. Construction started in December 2007 and is scheduled for completion in July 2009. It will feature classrooms, offices, athletic fields and vocational areas. The overall cost of the project is $39.8 million.

Across Chamblin Road from Grovetown High is the site of the future Evans Christian Academy. The 16,300-square-foot private school will be built on 17 acres. The first phase of construction would include classrooms, offices and a multipurpose room at a $1.6 million price tag.

Future construction phases might include a science building and athletic fields. Construction might start in December. If so, school officials expect that the new school might open in January 2010.

If voters approve a proposed 1-cent sales tax referendum in November, county officials hope to build a 12,000-square-foot Georgia State Patrol post for $2 million.

Next to the proposed state patrol post, officials are considering a 44-acre site as the home for a $4 million Columbia County Health Department building and a $2.3 million Columbia County Animal Care and Control facility.

Officials are negotiating the purchase of rights of way to extend William Few Parkway to Chamblin Road. The $2 million project is meant to ease traffic in the area once Grovetown High School opens. The state Transportation Department also plans to extend William Few Parkway east to Hardy McManus Road as part of a $23.7 million project.