A list of the first batch of state highway projects to be funded by federal stimulus money in Georgia has been released.

Polk County has one project on the approved list, described by the state Department of Transportation as “Phase I Cedartown Streetscape and Phase II sidewalks,” it is the continuation of Cedartown’s Streetscape project initiated in 2005.

Interim City Manager Tommy Engram said he spoke to DOT staff about the project last week.

“It’s already been approved once, but it has to go through the wringer again,” Engram said. He said he was told by DOT staff that it could go out to bid within 90 days.

The Streetscape project includes replacing sidewalks in a two-block area in Cedartown’s downtown district, centered around West Avenue and Main Street. Sidewalks in much of the rest of the downtown area have been updated in a past project.

The Phase II sidewalks project would include work around Cedartown’s Courthouse No. 2.

According to 2005 figures, Engram said the project was estimated at about $500,000 in state funds and $250,000 in local funds. The total cost might be higher now, four years later, but there shouldn’t be much of an increase, Engram said. One reason is that with current economic conditions, contractors are very competitive, he said.

“Some things have gone up, some will be down,” he said.

Engram predicted that Cedartown residents might see work started in the next six to eight months.