Frank Mullins stands near the 12-acre pond on his property in Evans, where an extension to River Watch Parkway eventually may be built. Mr. Mullins' 150 acres will be split by the road if engineers decide to run it through the trees in the background. Photo by Michael Holahan/Staff

Family's wooded property is targeted for River Watch extension, but some want an alternate route

  Map: Possible routes

Web- posted September 29, 1996

By Robert Pavey
Columbia County Bureau Chief

Frank Mullins and his family enjoy living on the richly wooded land his father bought in then-rural Evans more than three decades ago.

But he knows the serenity won't last forever.

``The last thing I was told, the highway's coming through here,'' the 34-year-old Columbia County native said. ``We even have a timetable, but it's not a definite timetable.''

Mr. Mullins' 150 acres, including a 12-acre pond and a mile of frontage on Washington Road, lie directly in the bullseye of the Georgia Department of Transportation's planned extension of River Watch Parkway.

The $33 million parkway now ends at Old Petersburg and Pleasant Home roads. The final phase, still six years away, would extend along Old Petersburg to Old Evans, bisect the Mullins property and align with Washington and Owens roads.

The planned route was selected almost a decade ago, before the flurry of development occurred about a mile west, closer to where Hereford Farm and Belair roads cross Washington Road.

Because of that development, and the likelihood such growth will continue, Columbia County officials want the route changed to bypass the Mullins parcel and connect with Washington Road at Hereford Farm Road.

``That route would save us from going through environmental issues regarding going through that 12-acre pond,'' said Columbia County Engineer Scott Godefroy. The alternate route would also utilize an existing rail crossing at Old Evans Road, while the DOT route involves building a new crossing.

Tying River Watch Parkway into Hereford Farm Road also makes sense because Hereford Farm is a direct route back to Interstate 20, Mr. Godefroy said.

DOT officials are reluctant to change the existing route, but will initiate a computer modeling study next month to assess which route is best.

``The concept we have now goes over that pond and ties in with Owens Road,'' said DOT Transportation Planner Cora Cook. ``But at the county's request, we're also looking at Hereford Farm Road.''

Ms. Cook said the existing route may ultimately remain the best choice because more traffic to the west could further complicate what is already a congested area.

``We know there are concerns about the pond,'' Ms. Cook said. ``But we have concerns about the other alignment because that intersection is already so busy. It could become an operational nightmare.''

The Belair-Washington road intersection near Hereford Farm Road already includes several smaller roads that feed traffic into a confined, increasingly developed area, she said. Adding River Watch traffic could cause problems.

David Griffith, pre-construction engineer in DOT's district office in Tennille, Ga., said the rate of growth in the area could cause the project to be moved forward for earlier construction.

``But to my knowledge the department hasn't changed from our original concept,'' he said. ``We're in preconstruction now and that project is still in our long range program, it's still at least six years away from reality.''

Although construction remains several years away, local authorities say a decision one way or the other would be beneficial to residents in the affected areas.

``Columbia County and DOT need to get together and make some decision,'' said Commission Chairman Pete Brodie. ``People with real estate in these areas don't know what frontage will be needed, and it's difficult to sell or make plans with property that may be subject to being taken.''

Planners also must look closely at cost benefits when final decisions are being made, Mr. Brodie said. Columbia County will bear some of the costs of acquiring right-of-way, a substantial sum, he said.

``Look at Baston and Old Petersburg, just that one intersection,'' he said. ``A 1,000-yard radius on that intersection and you're looking at $5.5 million in acquisition. Cost is certainly going to be an issue.''

For people like Mr. Mullins, the uncertainty isn't necessarily a problem.

``We already have some development we're proceeding with on the property,'' he said. ``And what we're planning was laid out in conjunction with what DOT plans to do.''

Future development options along Washington Road, he added, shouldn't be affected by any changes in the parkway's route.

``For years, we've had a steady stream of retailers calling and inquiring about developing this land,'' he said. ``I don't know how word gets out, or how they find you, but they do.''