In the best-case scenario, the first new major highway in decades in Oconee County will open by late next week. But Ryan Miller, resident state DOT construction engineer, admits continual rains make that scenario “bleak:” Miller explains what’s left to be done in the multi-year project to widen and extend the Sheep Farm Road includes a side road, Stonebrook Drive, whose grading has been delayed by the wet weather. “We also have some cleanup and some ‘safe-up’ eliminating drop-offs….in the five-lane portions,” he said. The extension granted U-S Group, general contractor, expires Sunday. Miller remains hopeful, and expects a big push by the contractor late this week and into the weekend.