VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Ask people who live in Valdosta, and they’ll tell you those issues have plagued the city for years, long before hurricanes Idalia and Helene.

Now, city leaders say they plan to address the issues once and for all.

In a three-to-one vote Valdosta City Council approved the next six years of SPLOST funding with over 30 projects to improve roads, utilities, and facilities across the city.

Richard Hardy, City Manager, said, “We’ve looked at overall the city. What do we need to do? What are some of the big projects that have been in limbo for years?”

One of the approved projects is to increase stormwater management around the city and improve major concerns of the drainage systems.

One of those areas is the Chadwyck subdivision, where many residents were displaced due to excessive flooding in November.

Hardy said, “Looking at our drainage infrastructure and our complete maintenance overhaul, storm water facilities throughout to control the flow of water as it comes in the city.”

Hardy says these projects will improve the city’s roads and bridges with sidewalks, street resurfacing, and intersection improvements near busy areas, making the city safer.

“Our leadership team, mayor and council have done a very great job at taking a look at the accessing the overall assessment of the city to identify the projects that are going to take us to the next level,” he said.

The list of projects will be submitted to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners by next Tuesday, June 24, before the city receives final approval in August.

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