The Georgia Department of Transportation is pursuing the $100,000 bond a developer put up to build a townhouse development on South Cobb Drive in Smyrna.

The townhouses were never built, and the bond will pay to fix the sidewalk that was torn up to provide three driveway entrances between McCauley and Kings Spring roads.

Before beginning construction, a developer or property owner must provide a guarantee that all construction within the DOT right-of-way is paid for. But pursuing that bond is not as quick or simple as cashing a check.

"It could take several months from beginning to end," said Crystal Paulk-Buchanan, spokewoman for the Georgia DOT. "We'll do what we can. We understand there's a need for the sidewalk to be fixed, and there's a process we have to follow."

Take to Task will monitor the DOT's progress and report any developments.

WHO'S LOOKING INTO IT

Bryant Poole

District engineer for metro Atlanta, Georgia DOT

770 986-1011

bpoole@dot.ga.gov

DAYS ON OUR LIST

14

WHAT'S BROKEN NEAR YOU?

We want tips from Cobb and Cherokee county communities. Call us at 770-509-4080 or e-mail us at taketotask@ajc.com.