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Why You Might See Outside Construction on Georgia State University, and Who’s Doing It

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At Georgia State University, we work hard to maintain and improve our campuses. Still, sometimes construction or maintenance is performed outside the university by state, county or city agencies. These projects are often unavoidable and may affect traffic, sidewalks, utilities, or nearby infrastructure. This article helps explain why these projects occur, who does them, and where (on or near which GSU campus).

Why External Construction Happens

  • State-level transportation upgrades: Major roadways around GSU properties (highways, interchanges, bridges) are maintained by the state, so when they’re repaired or improved, work may affect campus access or nearby streets.

  • County or municipal infrastructure maintenance: Water, sewer, drainage, or stormwater systems are often managed by county or city departments. Repairs and upgrades to those systems may require digging up streets or sidewalks, which can impact campus neighborhoods.

  • Regional growth & planning: As metro Atlanta grows, transportation needs, drainage concerns and urban development change. This prompts upgrades that may touch GSU campuses or their surrounding communities.

Because Georgia State has multiple campuses across different counties and cities, the responsible agency depends on the campus location.

Who to Watch / Follow for Construction & Infrastructure Updates on Each Campus

If you want to stay informed about upcoming or ongoing construction (road, water/sewer, drainage, utilities) that might affect GSU campuses — here are key agencies and where to find their updates:

State of Georgia

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

Fulton County (Atlanta & Alpharetta Campuses)

Fulton County Department of Public Works

(Handles water/wastewater, sewer, stormwater, and some road impacts)

City of Atlanta Departments (relevant for Atlanta Campus)

Atlanta Department of Watershed Management

Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT)

DeKalb County (Clarkston, Decatur & Dunwoody Campuses)

DeKalb County Department of Public Works – Roads & Drainage

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM)

City Agencies (Depending on Site Borders for Dunwoody Campus)

City of Dunwoody Public Works (if work is on city-maintained streets)

Newton County (Newton Campus)

Newton County Water & Sewer & Public Works

(May vary depending on exact project location; these are the primary agencies)

City of Covington (if projects occur near municipal boundary)


What This Means for GSU Students, Staff and Visitors

  • Occasional disruptions: Lane closures, sidewalk detours, or temporary route changes, which can affect driving, walking, biking, or taking public transportation to campus.

  • Noise, dust, or limited parking: Construction crews may operate nearby; utility upgrades or water/sewer repairs might involve street excavation, which may temporarily impact adjacent campus buildings or entry points.

  • Long-term benefits: While disruptive in the short term, these projects improve safety, water/sewer reliability, drainage, and traffic flow, which ultimately benefits everyone on and around campus.

  • Unpredictable scheduling: Some repairs (for example, water-main breaks) may arise spontaneously, especially for older infrastructure; others (like state street upgrades) may be planned years ahead.

What You Can Do to Stay Informed

  1. Bookmark and periodically check the key agencies’ project or news pages (see their listings above).

  2. Subscribe to any mailing lists, alerts, or social-media feeds those agencies offer (many have “News,” “Projects,” or “Public Works Alerts” sections).

  3. Be observant: if you see construction vehicles, signage, or barriers near campus or your commute, assume it could be state/county work, not necessarily a GSU project.

  4. Plan for extra travel time or alternate routes on days when work is active.

  5. View our GSU Campus Map Construction by State, County, or City section to find out what's currently being worked on.

Why This Happens — and Why It’s Not Always in GSU’s Control

  • As the main campus master-plan for GSU shows, major infrastructure around the downtown campus (for example, bridges like the Courtland Street Bridge) are sometimes maintained or replaced by state agencies, not the university itself. (University System of Georgia Master Plan)

  • Water, sewer, and stormwater systems are often managed at the county or municipal level. This means, when they age, break, or need upgrading, the responsible county or city agency must step in (even if the pipes run under or near campus).

  • Metropolitan Atlanta is a rapidly growing region: population increases, more buildings, increased demand on roads and utilities — all contributing to more frequent maintenance or upgrades. Agencies like the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) help coordinate regional planning and infrastructure investments.

Because of these overlapping jurisdictions and shared infrastructure responsibilities, some construction simply cannot be avoided, but knowing who is responsible can help the GSU community understand, anticipate, and plan for disruptions.



Keywords: map, construction, road work, digging, sidewalks, streets, building, county, city, state, infrastructure, demand, utilities, planning, pipes, wires, sewers

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