Photo Credit: WRGA

Rome’s long-delayed Second Avenue widening project is facing additional setbacks, with underground utility problems and the need for federal approval continuing to hold up construction.

Rome City Manager Sammy Rich provided an update to the Rome City Commission Tuesday, explaining that the Georgia Department of Transportation has identified additional underground utility concerns that must be resolved before work can move forward.

The project began in the summer of 2024 and was originally scheduled for completion in October 2026. However, construction has encountered repeated delays, primarily involving sewer lines and other underground infrastructure that were not accurately reflected in the original plans.

Rich told commissioners that the latest delays are connected to the same problems that have affected the project for months. Additional utility issues must be addressed, and approval is still needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Earlier this year, Georgia DOT representatives announced that the projected completion date had been pushed back to September 2027. No new completion date was announced during Tuesday’s update.

Once completed, the widening project will provide two travel lanes in each direction, separated by a median with turn lanes providing access to Atrium Health Floyd and Heritage Park.

The redesigned roadway will also include two left-turn lanes toward West Rome. Traffic coming from downtown will be directed toward Martha Berry Boulevard or turn lanes connecting to Turner McCall Boulevard and Shorter Avenue.

The project will also eliminate the existing split in the roadway at the intersection.

The continued delays have frustrated motorists who regularly travel through one of Rome’s busiest traffic corridors. City leaders say they are awaiting further information from Georgia DOT about when construction can resume.

WRGA contributed to this report