Consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to Pike County Times to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
Pike Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room - 8 a.m.
ZEBULON - The Pike County Development Authority met on January 14, 2026 at 8 a.m. Present were Bryan Oglesby, Stewart Essary, David Nix, John Barker, Mayor Joe Walter, School Superintendent Shane Williamson, Dee McLeRoy, Jason Leatherman (newly appointed), and Director Kyle Fletcher.
1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of the Agenda.
Motion to approve. Approved.
3. Invited Guest. David Millen, Engineer with JMT
Did this under the Project Gabriel Update
4. Approval of the Minutes.
Motion to approve the December minutes. Approved.
5. Financials for November and December
Walked through November and December financials. Have a hotel/motel tax account along with financials. Took on note for the county with the new business park. On a calendar year moving forward.
6. Old Business.
a. Project Gabriel Update. Invited Guest. David Millen, Engineer with JMT.
Did a feasibility study on a bypass. Retired from Georgia DOT in 2012. Connection between Hwy 19 and Hwy 18. 3 segments. Steady population growth has brought a lot of traffic with 327 crashes with 2 serious injuries and no fatalities. The truck volume is high and increasing. Traffic is projected to increase by 27% by the State. Land use plans focus on balancing growth with rural character directing development along major corridors. The study area includes streams, wetlands, and 16 protected species with environmental compliance including NEPA and Clean Water Act. One historic property and three cemeteries are within the study area but not in the ROW. Recommended an advisory group and public participation.
100 foot ROW is advised. Alignment is oriented to minimize impacts to environment and promote economic growth. Studied the alignment on both sides of the road. Must avoid power transmission at County Farm Road. Have to meet GDOT guidelines. 3 segments. Total length 1.9 miles.
Study of the wetlands and how this will impact them. Planning for 100 feet of ROW to accommodate future State Route Designation so can apply for state and federal funds. Been looking at this since 2024. Falcon Design in July of 2024.
Shoulders and ditches rather than curbing for rural design. This could even be widened later on if needed.
US 19 intersection, Williamson-Zebulon Road, County Farm Road, and Hwy 18.
Segment 1 .05 miles - $1,350,000
Segment 2 .06 miles $1,620,000
Segment 3 .08 miles $2,160,000 plus $220,000 Hwy 18 with possibility of turn lanes and a traffic signal.
Total $5,130,000 plus $220,000 = $5,350,000
Planning level preconstruction costs estimated at 12% of construction costs - $642,000
Utilities with potential conflict were listed. Possibly avoiding if possibility. Relocate if needed. Needed to address current and future congestion especially truck traffic. Will improve safety, support economic development and maintain quality of life in Zebulon and Pike County.
Next step is to get this into the federal program called STIP. Looking at 3 to 5 years.
The need for connectivity in the city was discussed. If we can get state and federal funding, this would be a tremendous help to the city and county.
Click here to read, "BREAKING NEWS: Pike County to Get a Truck Bypass?"
b. County Farm Road Update
15 year loan total. [Note from the Editor: The Development Authority has taken responsibility for and will pay for the loan for the 238 acres from the county.]
c. Southside Steel Expansion Plans (Review)
The new building and entrance with a retention pond. Motion to approve grading plan subject with City permit approval. Approved. Walter and McLeRoy abstained.
7. New Business a. Election of Officers: Chairman, Vice Chair, and SecretaryMotion to keep as is. Approved. [Note from the Editor: Chairman Bryan Oglesby, Vice Chairman Steward Essary, and Secretary Kyle Fletcher.]
8. Executive session. 9:23 a.m.
Back in session. 9:32 a.m.
9. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn. 9:32 a.m.
Next Meeting is February 4, 2026.
Past Meetings that Pike County Times has attended
March 13, 2024 and April 3, 2024 IDA Meeting
August 21, 2023 New Development Authority Director Named
July 26, 2023 Special Called IDA Meeting
June 7, 2023 IDA Meeting and History and Background of the IDA
February 20, 2023 Joint Commission and IDA Special Called Meeting