Design And Engineering Work To Extend Georgia 400 To Begin Soon

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

(Dahlonega)- Last week Governor Brian Kemp announced new details about an historic $1.5 billion investment in transportation infrastructure around the state which were included in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget. According to the Governor’s office, this funding will advance transportation projects reviewed by the State Transportation Board during its monthly meeting while also serving as a down payment for future expansion as Georgia continues to experience record job and population growth.

“Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth,” said Governor Kemp.

This investment will more than double the state’s funding to cities and counties for local transportation infrastructure, provide an increase in funding for general aviation airports, resurface more state highways, accelerate the completion of key transportation projects already underway,

Five million dollars of the allocation has been earmarked for the design and engineering work to begin this year on the widening of Longbranch Road (SR. 115) commencing at the end of Georgia 400 and running up to the intersection of SR 52 on Lumpkin County. State Senator Steve Gooch said, “This funding was put in the budget this year because of the increased heavy traffic anticipated, and the governor signed it.”

He said, “ I have been working with the Commissioner of D.O.T. for several years to get the state to make much-needed safety improvements starting at the Hwy 60 and Ga 400 intersection and up Longbranch Road.”

According to Gooch, the design team will be selected through the state’s procurement program at GDOT in the coming months, and the engineering work will commence soon thereafter. The widening project will most likely consist of converting the 2 lane road into 4 lanes similar to how Georgia 400 is built now.

The senator noted that there will need to be some realignments considered to reduce some of the sharp curves to improve safety along the new corridor. He also said no additional funding has been earmarked for right-of-way acquisition or construction of the widening project at this time. The funding for that will be considered in the coming years as monies become available.

Gooch said, “The long-term desire by state and local leaders is to extend the four-lane roadway into White County to connect to the Appalachian Parkway.”