Travelers driving on County Road 17-21 may have recently noticed
new signs on the road — hazardous road signs.
In September 2008, the Elbert County Road and Bridge made some
improvements to the dirt road that gets more than 1,000 cars a day,
but the base laid down was not enough to contain the loose gravel,
said Rick Manyik, Elbert County Road and Bridge director.
Construction to add more base material began Feb. 17 and CR
17-21 still is being worked on. Although construction on the road
is only a base asphalt coat, Manyik said in May or June the road
will be finished with a chip-seal asphalt layer. He said he is
waiting on the sales tax revenue before he can make any bids for
the final project.
“We have to wait until the weather warms up to put the final
layer on the road,” he said. “It needs to be 65 degrees and rising
every day.”
Manyik said he is trying to complete other road projects in
addition to County Road 17-21 and trying to stretch the dollar in
doing so.
“I would like to hire all the staff I can to fix all the roads,”
he said. “But with the economy I have to hold back and there is
only so much I can afford.”
Once the final layer is complete, shoulder work and striping
will be done. Until then, drivers are cautioned to drive the speed
limit that is posted in the construction zone.
