DOT approves traffic turn signal at Main Street and Bell Creek

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw received notification from the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) confirming that the state agency plans to install a turn signal at the intersection of Highway 76 and Highway 75 North.

The three-way intersection is situated adjacent to McDonalds in Hiawassee. Traffic traveling east on Main Street, attempting to make a left turn onto Bell Creek Road, must do so while the light is green, and vehicles often sit for lengthy intervals due to oncoming, westbound traffic.

“I am very excited that the DOT has decided to do this,” Bradshaw said, “It is something we’ve needed, and something I’ve been onto them about.”

District Traffic Engineer for the Northeast Region, SueAnne Decker, states that the DOT is working on signal plans to install the left-turn light, and that it will take a few months to implement.

FetchYourNews  (FYN) reported in April that Commissioner Bradshaw was actively pursuing the matter with the Georgia DOT, as well as insisting that a much-needed center turning lane on Highway 76 should be created in the vicinity of Papa’s Pizza.

In the email approving the turn signal, Bradshaw’s request for a center turning lane was denied. The DOT says the department is unable to stripe the center turn lane as there is not enough pavement in place for proper lane widths.

While Bradshaw says he is pleased that the DOT has approved the turn signal, the commissioner plans to persist in pressing for the turning lane. “I’m not going to let the issue go,” Bradshaw tells FYN, “It is too dangerous of an area on the highway to let it slide. I’m going to keep onto them about it.”

In addition, the DOT approved a Towns County Cross-Country Championship sign. The DOT says the agency is finalizing the sign design, and hopes to have it in place soon.