U.S. Route 76 safety improvements begin to take form
News October 13, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The safety of travelers on U.S. Route 76 in Towns County has been a concern of Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and the community for years, and a plan is in the works to improve conditions for motorists.
Commissioner Bradshaw joined Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) District Engineer Brandon Kirby last week on a tour to evaluate dangerous portions of Towns County’s main highway. Kirby was appointed to serve District 1 earlier this year, a region that incorporates 21 counties in Northeast Georgia. Kirby replaced Brent Cook upon retirement, the district engineer whom Bradshaw initially consulted on the issue.
Bradshaw’s goal is the installation of a turning lane stretch, west of Hiawassee city limits. Currently, motorists traveling westbound who wish to make a left-hand turn must come to a complete standstill in the traffic lane while eastbound vehicles pass and rear motorists quickly approach. The area in question has been the site of numerous accidents, some proving fatal. Towns County Road Superintendent Clyde Shook accompanied the commissioner and state engineer on the detailed tour.
Bradshaw reported that communication between the county and state departments is fluent.
“(The GDOT) gets it,” Bradshaw said. “They understand that something has to be done, and studies are underway to make it happen.”
Bradshaw committed to highway safety improvements prior to taking office in 2016, and the sole commissioner has proven steadfast in pursuing the promise. Reconstruction of the roadway is expected to take an indefinite period of time, however, as the logistics involved may prove challenging for the GDOT due to bordering Lake Chatuge.
FetchYourNews has established contact with the GDOT and will provide updates as they become available.
1 Comment
Talk is cheap. How many more lives need to be sacrificed before something is finally done?