Construction has already begun on yet another project on the Nathan Dean Parkway corridor as space is beginning to run out for new businesses.

Valvoline Oil & Lube got permission to use the property several months ago from the City of Rockmart, and now they’re starting to work to install a new service station in Rockmart to join another just across the road.

Concerns were raised previously with the project over entrance and exit points to the property, that were cured with updated plans for approval. They revisited the project back in May after previously rejecting it for moving forward as a conditional use once those problems were solved through redesign of the site layout for the new oil and lube service station.

The new location for Valvoline will bring their total across the nation to over 1,850 locations across the country when completed, and fill up more space along the Nathan Dean Bypass corridor in Rockmart.

Valvoline will look to compete directly with two other automotive locations: Walmart’s automotive service center and the Mavis Tire and Brakes that opened last year in Rockmart.

Stretching from Highway 101/North Piedmont Avenue to the west to Goodyear Avenue/Highway 113 North to the east, the number of available parcels for development is shrinking by the day. The city reports there are only a handful left along the stretch of the business corridor that has grown over the past generation to bring hundreds of regional and national franchise and chains to Polk County.

Valvoline’s construction brings the total number of projects underway along the corridor to five in total where contractors are working at the moment as 2024 comes to a close.