Thousands of north Fulton motorists will have to wait a little longer for the elbow room promised on McGinnis Ferry Road.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says the contractor, C.W. Matthews Contracting of Marietta, will not make the Sunday deadline for the $40.6 million project to widen the road to four lanes. As a result, the GDOT will levy fines of $1,000 for each day the project takes past the deadline.

"We really looked at it closely... and we determined we would not extend it this time," GDOT spokesman Mark McKinnon said Thursday.

The 5.2-mile project runs along the northern border of Johns Creek from the Chattahoochee River west to Sargent Road. McKinnon said McGinnis Ferry Road is a major commuter route for residents of Forsyth, Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Work began in July 2007 with an original completion date of July 2010. That deadline was extended when C.W. Matthews pointed out the extent of utility relocation was so massive, crews deserved more time. In addition to a high number of distribution and transmission lines that had to be moved, McKinnon said, there were nearly 18 separate utility companies affected.

The project scope also includes a raised median, sidewalks and landscaping.

C.W. Matthews Contracting officials said the request for an extension was sent in February based on numerous utility conflicts existing as late as last week. They said Thursday that they had not received word of the denial.

Johns Creek officials are not sympathetic.

"In general, I am frustrated by the way road projects in Georgia never seem to get done," said Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker.

Councilman Ivan Figueroa was more blunt.

"The $1,000-a-day fine to the contractor for being late on the project is not enough," he said. "If the fine were $10,000 a day, the contractor would have a real incentive to complete the road."

The delays have hurt residents and businesses, forcing drivers to take detours to avoid the construction, or endure loose gravel pelting their cars as well as long traffic lines.

The DOT expects it will be another 45 days before the project is completed. McKinnon said the final traffic configuration for lanes east of Medlock Bridge Road should be completed by the end of May. The lanes west of Medlock Bridge Road are scheduled for completion by mid-June.