A few more Troup County residents will have paved roads following the Troup County Board of Commissioners’ 4-0 vote on Tuesday to accept a right-of-way on Jim Perry Road.

Jim Perry Road is an unpaved road off Hardy Road on the east side of the county. It is also part of the 47 miles of remaining dirt road in Troup County. There are currently eight other paving projects planned on dirt roads in Troup County using SPLOST funds, including Camp Viola Road and Short Street.

“The Jim Perry Road property owners have all agreed that they would like to donate any necessary easements or right-of-ways to Troup County for the purpose of improving and paving Jim Perry Road,” said County Engineer James Emery. “As a part of that process, it is necessary for the board to pass a resolution to accept the right-of-way through donation and dedication, just as we would accept any other road right-of-way if a developer were building a new road.”

According to Emery, only two right of way deeds are needed to pave the 0.75-mile road, but all property owners on the road are expected to sign easements for the construction. He said that right of way had already been dedicated on other 11 properties on the road through various projects.

The Jim Perry Road project is being paid for using Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds, and while an exact cost for the project was not available on Tuesday, Emery said paving projects generally cost $1 million per mile. According to Emery, the utility relocation portion of the project is already underway, but due to potential weather delays, Emery was hesitant to offer a completion date.

County Commission Chairman Patrick Crews asked about the timeline on Camp Viola Road’s paving, but Emery said the dates for the project were not yet available. There was also some discussion on the remaining unpaved roads. According to Emery, most of the remaining unpaved county roads pass through timberland and hunting land or areas where residents may prefer not to have a paved road. However, he said that in cases like Jim Perry Road and Camp Viola Road, the county had found the projects to be worthwhile. 

“It is a good cost benefit ratio,” Emery said. “It is expensive to do this kind of work, but it is providing a good benefit to a good number of county residents.”

The Troup County Board of Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Avenue.