Atlanta, GA - June 2, 2012

Georgia transportation officials have authorized contracts for 16 new infrastructure improvement projects across the state.

The Georgia Department of Transportation project awards handed out Friday total more than $77 million.

The largest project award was $27.8 million to resurface 22 miles of Interstate 75 in Bartow and Gordon counties. The project is expected to be complete next May.

Other projects include: $14.6 million for interstate reconstruction in Athens/Clarke County, $12.7 million to widen three miles of a highway in Spalding County, and $2.4 million for intersection improvements in DeKalb County.

Including these awards, GDOT has now begun 265 new construction projects in fiscal year 2012 for a total value of more than $870 million.