Construction is well under way on the second and final phase of the South La-Grange Loop, a 6.1-mile, two-lane highway that will connect Whitesville and Roanoke roads.

Gov. Sonny Perdue had earmarked $25.2 in federal stimulus funds for construction, but C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. got the job with the lowest of eight bids at $19.1 million. The Marietta-based company has an asphalt plant in LaGrange.

“I feel good about pro-gress on the road,” which is expected to be completed in about 29 months, said county engineer James Emery. “C.W. Matthews is living up to their reputation. They’re doing a super job.”

The road will be built on four lanes of right of way so it can be widened if traffic volumes warrant.

Emery said it will divert east-west traffic from downtown LaGrange, provide better access to West Point Lake, and provide access to properties in the LaGrange and Callaway South industrial parks.

A mile-long section in the industrial parks already has been completed, including a bridge over Blue John Creek and some railroad tracks. The second phase will have a railroad bridge near Roanoke Road.

Clearing and grubbing on the second phase is about 80 percent complete, drainage and grading work has begun and utility relocations are about 25 percent complete, Emery said.

The Troup County government paid for design work through ongoing contracts over the past several years. The county has been substantially compensated for right-of-way acquisition.

Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews.com of (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.