The long-awaited and much-anticipated Jeffersonville Road improvement project has taken a major step forward as Macon-Bibb County has issued a Request for Proposals for construction bids. (The full RFP, including the schedule of deadlines, can be found by clicking here.)

The project includes widening Jeffersonville Road from Emery Highway to Recreation Road and Millerfield Road from Jeffersonville Road to Bristol Drive; replacing the bridge over Walnut Creek; adding sidewalks and lighting; and replacing the traffic lights at Jeffersonville Road and Emery Highway and at Jeffersonville Road and Millerfield Road. Once the company is selected, the project will take about three years to complete.

“The people living in East Macon-Bibb deserve a safer, more pedestrian-friendly Jeffersonville Road, and I’m delighted this project is finally moving forward,” says District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas. “I know people will be excited when this project is complete.”

One goal of the project is to have 11% going to a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and full criteria on participation in that program (and what kind of business qualifies) are in the RFP.

“We strive to encourage bidders to use small, minority, or woman-owned businesses whenever possible. This is a major project, and a lot of companies could benefit, just as we would benefit from their expertise and skills,” says Chauncey Wilmore, Senior Procurement Officer.