HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw has met with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on several occasions, and continues to press for a center-turning lane on Highway 76 West, in the vicinity of Papa’s Pizza.

“We want a center-turning lane. It’s very dangerous leaving Hiawassee, going in that direction,” Bradshaw says, “If you want to take a left-hand turn to get into Papa’s Pizza, or several other places, you’re constantly looking in your rear-view mirror, afraid you’re going to get hit. It’s very dangerous.”

While the DOT agrees, additional research is necessary to compute the logistics.

With Lake Chatuge bordering Highway 76 on one side, and steep embankments on the other, the solution is not simple. It may be possible to create limited turning-lanes in some portions rather than a continuous stretch, however.

“I said you’re going to have to stay on top of this. The community is demanding this,” Bradshaw continued, “I will not let it die. I’m going to stay on top of it.”

Commissioner Bradshaw has also asked the DOT for a turn signal at the intersection of Highway 76, in front of McDonald’s, turning left onto Bell Creek Road. While traffic was light on the day Bradshaw last met with DOT, the commissioner insisted on the necessity.

“We’re a little bit different here. Our population changes in the good weather and summer months, so they can’t go on what’s there right now,” Bradshaw explained, going onto say that the DOT understands, and believes the department will conduct proper studies.

The commissioner states that he has also requested a sign near Shake Rag Road on Highway 76 East to indicate the location of Bell Mountain.

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