Changes are coming for drivers in one part of Houston County.
Construction crews are wrapping-up a major construction project that has some people hoping the traffic pattern doesn't leave Bonaire in the dust.
The new overpass over Highway 247 is the last phase of a widening project of Highway 96.
In the past, HWY 96 rolled right through Bonaire, but now it'll go over and some of the business owners are confident they’ll be just fine.
You could call the White Diamond, 'classic Bonaire.'
“It's been in my family for 65 years,” says current owner Karry Jay.
Jay owns the White Diamond Grill in Bonaire after taking it over from her mom, who took over from her uncle.
It’s been a family business for almost seven decades that's watched Bonaire grow around them.
“It has really gone crazy,” Jay says, referencing the new Publix shopping center across the street.
Jay says she remembers when it was dirt roads and no traffic lights.
Now, she is keeping her eye on a new overpass that's popped up north of her restaurant.
“We were concerned at one point about the new highway up there, that it would divert people from coming through Bonaire, but it hasn't seem to have phased us,” Jay says in a booth in the Diamond.
The overpass is the last phase of the years-long Highway 96 widening project.
Houston County and the Georgia Department of Transportation have widened the road from I-75 past the new overpass.
The first phase widened it from I-75 to Lake Joy. Phase two continued the widening from Lake Joy to Moody Road.
The County spent $19.5 million of SPLOST funds on phase two, but the overpass is a state-funded, phase three.
But Jay's confidence comes from her customers.
“You know what, you've been there that long, if people want barbecue they know where you are,” she says with a smile.
People like Ron Semple, who loves the ribs and catfish.
He's been coming to Bonaire since the 60s when his dad moved the family to the area. Semple ended up joining the Navy and now lives in Cochran.
He says the overpass will be good for traffic through the original Bonaire intersection of Highways 96 and 247.
“You used to, you'd sit here at this intersection, especially coming into town, through sometimes two and three and four light cycles, just moving up and moving up, waiting on your chance to get through. This has really eased it. Now you're just going right through,” Semple said.
No matter what road they use, Jay hopes her food keeps bringing them back.
She’s not the only one counting on her customers.
Gwen Mitchell owns the McDonald’s Horse Supply and Western Store right next to the White Diamond.
Mitchell told 13WMAZ Bonaire’s recent growth is impressive and said she was also optimistic about the new Publix opening soon.
They’ve owned and operated Mcdonald’s current location for 40 years and say repeat customers will keep them going.
However, Mitchell says she requested an exit sign explicitly directing traffic to Bonaire. Right now, the overpass’ exit signs in both directions only mention Warner Robins and Hawkinsville. They do not mention Bonaire.
But they’re also confident that four decades of selling horse feed and tack will keep bringing their faithful customers back to the store.
One eastbound and westbound lane are open on the overpass as crews finish the project.