Commuters through Jones County begin using Gray bypass six months ahead of schedule

After years of talking, planning and building, the new Gray bypass opened Thursday at 9 a.m.

The six-mile highway connects Ga. 22 from Ga. 18 west of Clinton to east of Gray.

The $42 million dollar project built a four-lane divided highway with a 44-foot median, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The 55 mph drive includes a bridge over Ga. 11 and the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Contractor ER Snell began working on the road in June 2014 and has completed it six months ahead of the projected opening in June of 2017.

The contractor removed construction barricades to allow traffic to flow Thursday.

Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece announced the opening on the department’s Facebook page.

“Most motorist(s) have figured it out, but it’s taking the 18-wheeler trucks a little longer to adjust,” Reece posted Thursday. “The scenery is nice along the bypass. Everybody be safe.”

Motorists are urged to pay attention to message boards during the transition to the new road.

The project is designed to increase safety for trucks and make it easier to move freight through Jones County.

This story was originally published December 15, 2016 at 5:46 AM with the headline "Commuters through Jones County begin using Gray bypass six months ahead of schedule."