THOMASVILLE — The subcontractor for a $1.4 million road project at a major Thomas County intersection left the site to work elsewhere, a Georgia Department of Transportation official told the Times-Enterprise Thursday.

“I don’t know the exact time frame when they will get back to the project,” said Joe Sheffield, DOT district engineer.

The Scruggs Company of Valdosta is the subcontractor. The contractor is the Albany firm of Jim Boyd Construction Inc.

“At this point, I do not think they are in liquidated damages yet,” Sheffield said.

He said the contractor for a DOT project is allowed to work at his own pace. “He has a window to get the work done,” Sheffield explained.

Sheffield said the contractor would lose $200 to $300 for each day the project is not completed on time.

On Friday, Craig Solomon, DOT communications officer, said work would resume Monday at U.S. 19 North’s intersection with Ga. 202 and County Line Road.

Scruggs “had previous commitments and could not come back to the job immediately,” he explained.

The project, which includes turn lanes, striping and traffic lights, began Jan. 13. Completion is set for Aug. 31.

“The biggest amount of money is in the asphalt and in the signals,” Sheffield said.

Large, orange barrels placed at the site topple over and roll into traffic lanes.

“It’s very dangerous,” said Lloyd Eckberg, who lives in a subdivision near the site. “Vehicles are going by at 60 to 70 miles per hour.”

He said that if the project is not going to be worked on, “they could at least move the barrels.”

A Thomas County commissioner also is concerned about the lack activity at the site.

“Small cars cannot see over those barrels. They are at the mercy of the traffic,” said Commissioner Ken Hickey.

At 5:20 on a recent afternoon, 25 vehicles were backed up on County Line Road attempting to cross the U.S. highway and travel onto Ga. 202.

“They could complete it probably in a good week’s time if they would just get to it,” Eckberg said.

With school starting Monday, residents expect the intersection to become even more of a hazard.

“They don’t seem like they leave any room for barrels,” said Senior Lt. Ron James, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office patrol commander.

Sheriff’s office deputies have been stationed on 19 north of 202 in an effort to reduce the speed of traffic.

With the opening of community schools Monday, patrol officers with blue lights on will post the site, James said.

“When workers return, traffic units will return to monitor speed with radar,” James said.

Solomon said the contractor would begin work Monday in preparation for the asphalt crew to move in Wednesday.

“Jim Boyd (the contractor) is saying that the paving should be completed in a week,” Solomon said. “The traffic signal subcontractor is scheduled for Monday week.”