It’s the $179,580 question.

When will the state Department of Transportation (DOT) give its approval for the county to begin the muchanticipated College Drive Project.

The DOT could give its approval anytime now after its bicycle and pedestrian engineer decided not to force the county to acquire more right-of-way.

The DOT engineer had wanted the county to acquire 25 feet of rightof way for future sidewalk construction. Coincidentally, the engineer reversed his stance 72 hours after a story appeared in The Ledger stating the county had obtained the permits and had been ready to bid the project for months, but the DOT was holding up the project.

County officials said once the DOT gives its final approval, the county could begin the bid process in a couple of weeks. The project is only expected to take several weeks to complete.

The $179,580 enhancement project would correct the drainage problems at College Drive and Griffin Street.

Plans also call for stamped asphalt to be poured to match the brickwork of the column entrance to the college. The textured surface also serves as a traffic control measure.

The crepe myrtles on the median from Griffin Street to Escambia Drive will be removed and replaced by a lower-growing shrub to give an unobstructed view of the college.

Councilman Quay Little agreed to use his gravel funds as the county’s portion of the grant.