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Highway idea may be boon for state
Lawmakers push 2 new interstates
By JAMES SALZER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/23/04
Members of Georgia's congressional delegation are spearheading an effort to create two new interstate highways through the state, including one that could divert some truck traffic away from metro Atlanta.
Six U.S. House members from Georgia have introduced legislation authored by Rep. Max Burns (R-Ga.) asking the federal Department of Transportation to look into developing two interstates, one running from Savannah to Augusta to Knoxville, Tenn., and another from Augusta to Macon to Columbus and west to the Mississippi River. Companion legislation was filed in the Senate by Zell Miller (D-Ga.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.).
The new interstates would likely follow freeways already under construction at least part of the way. For instance, I-3 along the Savannah River could follow the largely completed Savannah River Parkway. I-14 would likely follow the Fall Line Freeway. About three-fourths of the Fall Line Freeway from Columbus to Macon to Augusta is complete or under construction. State officials said $264.3 million was needed to complete the freeway.
Turning those roads into interstates would create freeways with more limited access.
Burns said the interstates could help spur economic growth in some of the state's poorest counties, such as those in the historic Black Belt region. "We're looking at neglected areas of our state and our region," said Burns, whose district includes the rural counties between Savannah, Augusta and Athens.
Burns said most economic development typically occurs within about 10 miles of an interstate. But much of the Black Belt is covered with rural roads.
New interstates would open up those areas for growth, would tie together military bases such as Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Fort Gordon in Augusta and Fort Benning in Columbus, and provide truckers coming south on I-75 and I-85 with an alternate route to Georgia's ports and coast.
That could relieve at least some truck traffic on metro Atlanta's freeways, though it's unclear how much.
The interstates would take a decade or more to develop, if approved. Burns doesn't know how much they would cost. That would be included in the DOT study.
Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.), a co-sponsor of the Burns bill, said his first priority was getting the Fall Line Freeway completed. "It would be a huge mistake to delay at all the Fall Line Freeway while we wait to see if this could wind up being an interstate," said Marshall, who hails from Macon, the highway's midpoint.
Marshall noted that Burns faces a tough re-election battle this fall against Athens lawyer John Barrow. "Around campaign time, people come out with all kinds of good ideas," Marshall said.
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