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Houston Road lawsuit deadline
extended
By Christopher
Schwarzen A federal judge has extended the deadline for filing briefs in a lawsuit trying to stop the widening of Houston Road. Because of the threat of inclement weather, federal District Court Judge Duross Fitzpatrick told lawyers they could have until Feb. 4 to file briefs in the hearing that ended Jan. 7. Briefs were originally supposed to be in by Friday. Attorneys for the Federal Highway Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation have filed briefs, according to the clerk's office for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. But attorneys for CAUTION Macon, which filed the lawsuit, and for Bibb County and the city of Macon have not filed briefs. Attorney Hale Almand, representing the city and county, said Friday that Fitzpatrick has not indicated how long he will take to reach a decision. CAUTION Macon, the nonprofit organization trying to stop the widening of Houston Road from two to five lanes and which opposes other projects of the Macon-Bibb Road Improvement Program, has asked Fitzpatrick to halt federal funding. The group contends an environmental assessment, necessary for funding, did not consider residents' concerns about increased traffic and air quality. Defense lawyers have argued that environmental assessments were completed properly.
The $8 million project is under way and won't be stopped unless Fitzpatrick so orders, DOT officials have said. Work crews have been clearing trees and grading for future lanes. To contact Christopher Schwarzen, call 744-4213 or e-mail cschwarzen@macontel.com.
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