RINGGOLD, Ga. — Residents and motorists who used Mack Smith Road between East Ridge and Cloud Springs before about 300 feet of the road was closed are still on hold.
Work was delayed nearly a month after state and local environmental officials got a stop work order on the West Chickamauga sewer project.
Now, work to rebuild the road is mired in litigation Catoosa County filed against Fort Oglethorpe claiming the city’s annexation of part of Mack Smith Road 10 years ago was illegal, officials said.
Following the county sewer project, Fort Oglethorpe wants the road repaired to city standards, while Catoosa County wants to repair it to the less expensive county standards.
“I will insist that when the road is repaired that it meet our city standards,” Fort Oglethorpe City Manager Ron Goulart said.
Construction began late last year with East Tennessee Grading laying sewer pipe under a section of Mack Smith Road near North Avenue and another area further north.
After the environmental problems, Catoosa County decided not to renew its contract with Arcadis Engineering to provide an inspector.
Instead, Fort Oglethorpe agreed to provide an inspector, since the project will become part of the city’s sewer operations. Mr. Goulart said that inspector will be looking for city standards on the road.
But County Commissioner Bobby Winters said that’s not the most important thing.
“The big deal is getting Mack Smith Road open,” said Mr. Winters, who also is chairman of the Catoosa Public Works Authority Board. “That area is in my district, and those people have been waiting a long time for the road to reopen.”
East Tennessee Grading is awaiting word on whether it should follow the initial contract or must meet city standards, officials said.
Meanwhile, Mack Smith motorists have sustained a double blow. Work on the widening of Cloud Springs Road at Mack Smith Road has resulted in closure of the south end of the road.
