CUMMING, Ga. -- Nearly three years after a storm damaged a portion of Sanders Road, commuters are relieved at the sight of long awaited repair work.
People who live nearby are also working to forgive the elected officials who took so long to act.
“Wish I had my gas money returned to me, and my time,” says Bob Gray.
Gray has had to detour around the portion of Sanders Road that still wears the scars of the May 2013 storm.
Darlene Gordon has dealt with it too.
“My taxes go up and it's supposed to pay for roads, and I have a road down that street that I haven't been able to use,” says Gordon.
A three year standoff between Forsyth County and the city of Cumming is finally over. Authorities are hoping to reopen the road by the end of April.
The damage is right where the Forsyth County road meets the city of Cumming. The two sides agreed to split the cost of repairs, but couldn't agree on who should do the work.
A year and a half after the storm, 11Alive’s Commuter Dude was there as neighbors gathered in an attempt to shame elected officials into reaching an agreement.
That agreement wouldn't come for another year.
“Politics plain and simple,” said City Administrator Gerald Blackburn when asked why the decision took so long.
“In hindsight, everything looks different,” said Blackburn when asked if the city and county could have done more to reach an agreement sooner. “Sure, sure. But it's done.”
Almost done. There's a new cement culvert. Dirt fills what was a giant hole. It will need a layer of asphalt.
As far as Bob Gray is concerned.
“Just get it done and all is forgiven.”
