Origin of Coppage Road Tree Canopy 2026-08-08

On Coppage Road, Lowndes County used curb and gutter to preserve both a half canopy and a full canopy.

The process started in 2009, and Coppage Road was finally paved in 2016.

Origins of Curb and Gutter, Coppage Road Tree Canopy, between Griffin Drive, and Skipper Bridge Road

August 2009: ASA Engineering to survey Coppage Road

The Lowndes County archive server cannot find the minutes from that August 11, 2009, County Commission meeting.

https://www.lowndescounty.com/Archive.aspx

However, using the main search box on lowndescounty.com finds those minutes:

https://www.lowndescounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/497/Board-of-Commissioners-Regular-Session-Minutes-for-August-11-2009-PDF?bidId=

Notice several more citizens spoke than the VDT recorded.

CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
Chairman Paulk spoke to the audience regarding paving, for those attending and speaking regarding Coppage Road.
Vicki Taunton, 5112 Coppage Road, stated she thought notification was to be sent to the property owners when the road was to be paved. She’d like Coppage Road to remain unpaved. She has a list of 22 parcel holders which are against the paving of the road. Commissioner Lee stated that he was the Commissioner that asked for the road to be on the paving list. Commissioner Lee stated the right of way acquisitions are the first step in the paving process of a dirt road, then a neighborhood meeting would be called and notifications would be sent to them regarding the process for paving.
Linda Miley, 4862 Coppage Road, is concerned with safety issues on Coppage Road. The road is narrow in the canopy area, especially with passing vehicles. The road does wash out at times and is very difficult to drive on. Ms. Miley asked where the water run off would go and County Engineer, Mike Fletcher, responded that the water will go to drainage ditches and wetland area; paving will prevent washing.
Stephen Taunton, 5112 Coppage Road, stated the road was narrower with deeper ditches. Mr. Taunton expressed concern with the speed limit change due to his children and other children in the area. Mr. Tauton also expressed concern with an antique well in his yard; he doesn’t want it to be damaged due to the road paving.
Gretchen Quarterman, 6565 Quarterman Road, praised Lowndes County regarding the effort in preserving the tree canopy on Quarterman Road.
John Quarterman, 6565 Quarterman Road, stated that the citizens living on Coppage Road should continue to ask the County questions regarding their road being paved and the citizens should have input on which trees to save within their community.
Wynona Simmons, 5138 Coppage Road, believes there should be other options available to the citizens before the road is paved.
FOR CONSIDERATION
Proposal from ASA Engineering for Coppage Road East Paving Project, County Engineer, Mike Fletcher, presented the item for ASA Engineering to survey Coppage Road. Commissioner Lee made a motion to accept the proposal from ASA Engineering, Vice Chairperson Evans second. Motion carried.

September 2009: Coppage Road mentioned in VDT story about Quarterman Road

See Quarterman Road Tree Canopy 2026-08-08.

http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/blog/?p=10228

July 2014: ASA Engineering Services for Coppage Road

Then-County Attorney Mike Fletcher in the July 8, 2014, Lowndes County Commission Regular Session, proposed continuing to use ASA Engineering, this time for “horizontal and vertical surveying and to develop engineering plans”.

https://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/?p=9627

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmxtqchwjjE&list=PLshUv86fYkiH4FTj2R8jKNoPQvusMU1RY&index=15

The Minutes say:

Engineering Service for Coppage Road, County Engineer, Mike Fletcher, stated previously in 2009, ASA Engineering and Surveying was used to develop Right of Way Deeds for Coppage Road. Staff is requesting to use this company for the remaining horizontal and vertical surveying and to develop engineering plans for the completion of Coppage Road. This project amount is $ 47,525.00.

Lowndes County Engineer Mike Fletcher, Coppage Road, 2014-07-08 @ LCC Regular Session –Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE

Malynda Fulton, The Valdosta Daily Times, August 11, 2009, Residents question Coppage Road paving project,

The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners accepted a proposal for surveying and right of way deed preparation on the Coppage Road East paving project after hearing several concerns from citizens who live along the road.

During the citizens wishing to be heard portion, one resident, “Vicky” expressed her desire to see the project stopped, displaying signatures from 22 homeowners who do not wish to donate right of way for the project. She also suggested that county officials make sure that everyone is properly informed about the phases of the project so that rumors do not formulate. Vicky’s husband expressed similar views and asked what could be done about the road without paving it.

Linda Miley said that her only issue was the safety of the road. She mentioned that the road is narrow, especially near the canopy area, which makes passing other vehicles difficult. She added that that portion of the road tends to wash out.

County Engineer Mike Fletcher told Miley that the road will become safer if it is widened and paved.

While addressing other concerns, Fletcher said that a survey would be done to see who will be affected before any decisions are made to pave Coppage Road. A community meeting will also be held for the residents who will be affected. If more than 50 percent of the homeowners refuse to give right of way, the road will not be paved, Fletcher said. Commissioner Richard Lee said that the Coppage Road paving project had been on the list of projects to be funded through SPLOST years ago. However, the project was taken off at one point. Lee suggested that the project be added to the list again.

“It makes sense to pave the road since it is a connector road and I have received several complaints over the years about its safety,” Lee said.

Ultimately, the commissioners unanimously approved a proposal from ASA Engineering and Surveying to provide surveying and right of way deed preparation.

The portion of Coppage Road that is subject to be paved connects Val Del and Skipper Bridge Roads. This portion has a 60-foot right of way.

If paved, the speed limit along the road will be set at 45 miles per hour to control aggressive driving.

June 2015: Paving bids

On June 8, 2015, Mike Fletcher presented three bids for paving Coppage Road, with low bid from The Scruggs Company of $1,395,584.34.

Commissioner Demarcus Marshall, Timing of Paving of Coppage Road, 2015-06-08 @ LCC Work Session –Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE

Asked in that Work Session by Commissioner Demarcus Marshall how long it might take, he said nine months to a year. Beginning in about 45 days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0APRfMCf9I&list=PLshUv86fYkiGy-EBt9dnN1rCpAVjtnP1s&index=10

In the Regular Session of June 9, 2015, Fletcher said it was for about two miles, and included curb and gutter to preserve a portion of the canopy. Commissioners approved that low bid unanimously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPMEZ5y3Gdg&list=PLshUv86fYkiFHpteTSLY-w0do7FqWVCrF&index=12

December 2015: What Coppage Road looked like before paving

Here’s a video of what Coppage Road looked like before paving, that I took on December 15, 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMl_7fpUfHQ

Before paving Coppage Road, 2015-12-07 –jsq for CRSG

The half canopy is east of Griffin Drive.

Half Canopy on Coppage Road at Griffin Drive, 2026:08:08 10:40:10, –jsq for CRSG https://www.google.com/maps/@30.9885726,-83.3107703,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

The full canopy is farther east on Coppage Road, up to where it dead-ends into Skipper Bridge Road.

Zoomed Tree Canopy on Coppage Road, 2026:08:08 10:41:37, –jsq for CRSG https://www.google.com/maps/@30.9892414,-83.2981912,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

You can clearly see the curb and gutter looking back into Coppage Road from Skipper Bridge Road.

Coppage Road seen from Skipper Bridge Road, 2026:08:08 10:43:16, –jsq for CRSG https://www.google.com/maps/@30.9929883,-83.2922176,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

On the LAKE front

Citizen dialog for transparent process by the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange