A Conversation with Cathy Williams

2nd Congressional District Representative, Georgia State Board of Transportation

In recent months, claims have circulated on social media suggesting that public criticism from former mayoral candidate Chris Breault and members of his social media team was responsible for renewed activity and progress on the Buena Vista Road interchange project.

However, responsible journalism requires more than repeating claims or chasing social media engagement. It requires research, verification and facts. To better understand the status of the project, the Courier Eco Latino spoke directly with Cathy Williams, the 2nd Congressional District Representative on the Georgia State Board of Transportation, about the history, funding and timeline of the long-awaited interchange improvements.

The Courier: There have been claims that recent public criticism and social media pressure caused the Buena Vista Road interchange project to suddenly accelerate. Is that accurate?

Williams: No. The project has remained active throughout its construction period, with the exception of normal interruptions caused by holidays and periods of severe weather. What people are seeing now is the natural progression of a project that is nearing completion.

As various phases of construction are completed, additional areas become available for other crews to move in and perform their work. This naturally creates the appearance of increased activity because more workers and equipment are visible on-site.

The project has ramped up over the last six months because it is entering its final stages, not because of any recent public criticism.

The Courier: Can you explain how this project is funded and who oversees it?

Williams: The Buena Vista Road interchange improvements project is funded entirely through the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) program. It is 100 percent TIA-funded and is managed by the Georgia Department of Transportation's TIA Program.

The Courier: Many residents have questioned why the project has taken so long. Can you walk us through the timeline?

Williams: Certainly. Design work for the project began during the summer of 2015. Some people have pointed to a 2014 date listed on project information, but that date refers to when funding was first authorized to begin preconstruction activities.

The project was originally scheduled to be bid for construction in December 2019. However, all bids received were rejected. The project was then re-bid in May 2020, and C.W. Matthews was awarded the contract as the low bidder.

Another factor involved right-of-way negotiations. Those negotiations took longer than anticipated, which delayed the contractor's official Notice to Proceed with construction until December 2020.

The Courier: The original completion date has passed. What caused the delays?

Williams: The original construction contract listed a completion date of May 31, 2024. However, construction began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like much of the infrastructure industry nationwide, the project experienced workforce shortages, supply-chain disruptions and material availability challenges. Those issues affected schedules across the construction industry.

Later in the project, utility relocation issues created additional obstacles. Utility lines had to be moved before certain construction activities could continue, and those delays further impacted the schedule.

As a result, the completion date was revised to December 23, 2025, which is the date currently reflected on the TIA website.

The Courier: When can residents realistically expect the project to be completed?

Williams: At this time, the TIA team anticipates completion in late 2026.

It is important for the public to understand that the dates displayed on public websites generally reflect contractual dates. They do not always include potential time extensions or adjustments that may be negotiated as construction progresses.

The Courier: Why are residents seeing more crews and equipment now than in previous years?

Williams: As construction moves toward completion, work naturally becomes concentrated in multiple areas simultaneously. When one crew completes its portion of the project, other crews move in to begin the next phase.

What residents are witnessing now is the result of years of planning, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination and construction work reaching its final stages.

Courier Eco Latino Final Thoughts

The facts surrounding the Buena Vista Road interchange project tell a much different story than the narratives circulating on social media. Project records show that planning began more than a decade ago, construction contracts were awarded in 2020, and delays were largely driven by pandemic-related challenges, supply-chain disruptions, right-of-way negotiations and utility relocation issues.

According to Georgia Department of Transportation officials and State Transportation Board Representative Cathy Williams, the increased activity visible today reflects a project entering its final phases—not a sudden response to political commentary or social media criticism.

As always, facts matter. Responsible journalism is not about generating clicks, followers or controversy. It is about seeking the truth, verifying information and providing the public with accurate, documented information so citizens can make informed decisions.