Dear editor:
GDOT says they are proceeding with their highway 44 road widening project, completely ignoring the objections of 95% of the citizens of Lake Oconee who responded to their public hearing. The GDOT road was basically designed in the last century using outdated concepts that are not safe, not efficient, and not sensitive to the needs of our community. Everyone is well aware that significant changes need to be made to highway 44 – and we have proposed a unique design that is safer, more efficient, less intrusive, and less costly.
The GDOT response is that the road is designed, property is being acquired, and the road will be built with their outdated and dangerous design, and they do not care about the concerns of our community.
The proposed GDOT road from Cary Station to Harmony Road is not four lanes – it is a 7 to 9 lane (86’ at a minimum) swath of asphalt and concrete through the heart of our community. GDOT says that construction will take three years, so you can count on construction taking four to six years. For anyone whose has seen a small interruption to the flow of traffic back up highway 44 for miles, this will be something to look forward to for many, many years. If GDOT continues to move forward and use our tax money to construct their dangerous, destructive and inappropriately designed road through our community, then shame on them. And if the citizens of Lake Oconee roll over and allow GDOT to proceed, then shame on us. For more information, go to www. savemy44.com
Jim Pound
Greensboro