MCDONOUGH, Georgia. – The McDonough Parkway Extension project is about to get into high gear. Crews will soon begin clearing and roadwork around State Route 155 at Turner Church Road to improve traffic flow and connectivity. Once completed, the extension will serve as an east-west bypass around McDonough Square, providing residents with an alternate route into the historic downtown area. The project is funded by Henry County Transportation’s special local sales tax and is the first of seven major construction projects being advanced under this initiative. The county has worked closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation over the past few years to bring the project to the current construction phase.
County Commissioner Dee Anglyn of District 3 expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting its potential to ease local traffic congestion. “I am excited about the improved connectivity that will help residents get around McDonough more efficiently. Soon, McDonough Parkway will connect to South Highway 155, Highway 20/81, Jonesboro Road, Highway 42 and again to North Highway 155. We thank our residents for investing in our community with SPLOST dollars,” Anglyn said.
The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a construction contract for the project in April 2024 and awarded it to Southeastern Site Development, Inc. of Newnan at an estimated cost of $14.5 million. The county issued a building permit on July 15, 2024, with an estimated completion date of January 2026.
The McDonough Parkway extension will extend approximately one mile, beginning at the current eastern terminus near Walnut Creek Elementary School. The project includes the construction of a new two-lane road extending eastward and intersecting SR 155 at Turner Church Road. To accommodate the elevation difference between McDonough Parkway and SR 155, a new bridge will be built to allow traffic to cross both Highway 155 and Dogwood Lane. In addition, a connector road will provide access between McDonough Parkway and Turner Church Road from Highway 155.
Once completed, the expansion will allow seamless traffic between Highways 42 and 155 and will connect with other sections of the McDonough Parkway to form a larger bypass around the town square. Current sections of the McDonough Parkway already connect Highway 20/81, Jonesboro Road and Highway 42. Another section of the bypass is scheduled to open in 2025 between Highway 20 and Henry Parkway Connector as Highway 20 continues to be widened. Together, these developments will form a semi-circular bypass around the northwest side of McDonough.
Click here for more information about the county’s SPLOST program.
