Hall says farewell to district DOT engineer

OAKWOOD - The South Hall Business Coalition said goodbye Tuesday morning to Russell McMurry, the head of the state Department of Transportation office in Gainesville, who is now in charge of highway design statewide.

McMurry confirmed that he’s going to work in Atlanta but said he gained the experience he needed for his new state level post in Hall County.

“Obviously I can take my experience here with me from Gainesville and Hall County and the 21 counties in North Georgia to understand those projects and the needs of local communities and try to transfer those into the design of new projects,” McMurry said.

McMurray said Todd McDuffy, with GDOT 27 years, would serve as interim district engineer until a permanent replacement is named.

"He has a heavy background in department operations including traffic engineering," McMurry said.

McMurry said Hall’s next big project is the $100 million widening of Georgia Highway 347 (Friendship Road) from I-985 to Georgia Highway 211 at Chateau Élan. Right-of-way acquisition is well underway and he expects construction to begin in 2012.