The Toccoa Record: Top Stories

The Toccoa Record

State Rep. Jeanette Jamieson stressed to the Department of Transportation recently the importance of getting funding for the four-laning of Highway 17 to the Franklin County line.

Jamieson had the opportunity to convey her sentiments to the DOT during the DOT board’s monthly meeting held in Stephens County this month.

“The number one priority for Stephens County is the four-laning of Highway 17. When the original two lanes of the bypass were constructed, the right-of-way for the other two lanes was bought at that time,” Jamieson told DOT board members, adding that the right-of-way for the Highway 17 widening is in the process of being acquired now.

“I am looking forward to any additional dollars that might be available. We need to find the construction dollars needed for the final six miles [of widening to the Franklin County line]. This is critical for the survival of this community, and it is vital for the surrounding area,” she said.

Jamieson told the board while she and the rest of the Toccoa-Stephens County community may be asking for additional funding so the four-lane project can be undertaken, the request for the project does not come without any community effort at doing its part.

“We do not have any unused state aid dollars at this time,” the representative said, going on to address the slated highway project to improve access and safety for the new high school and Big A Elementary School.

“We have discussed our transportation needs, but this community realizes it has a responsibility for this project. All of the right-of-way is provided by Stephens County and the board of education, and part of the construction will be done by the county. We come offering 50-60 percent of the cost,” she said.

Jamieson said the Toccoa-Stephens County community has self-funded $7 million of infrastructure improvements for the industrial park, and voters overwhelmingly approved a new one-cent sales tax that includes funding for transportation needs.

“We tax ourselves, so we meet our local financial obligation. However, we must find additional funds for transportation in this state,” she said. “Will that take courage? Yes, it will, but I will do my part because it is the right thing to do.”

She said one cent of the state’s sales tax wasn’t dedicated funds to the DOT when the sales tax was passed, and that was a mistake, and she expects that to be changed in the near future.

“Also, the DOT is the only [state] department that has to pay its own debt service out of its operating dollars. During the last session, a proposal was killed in the senate that would have given hundreds of millions [to the DOT],” Jamieson said, adding that she will fight to get more funding for the DOT.

“You know what our number one priority is. You know it is the lifeline of this community. In return, I will support the board in any and all efforts to [increase DOT revenues],” she said.

After Jamieson thanked the board for holding the May meeting in Stephens County, DOT board chairman Bill Kuhlke Jr., of the 10th Congressional District, said the board appreciated the cooperation of the Toccoa-Stephens County community and reaffirmed the board’s pleasure at being able to help with the school highway intersection improvement project. However, he stopped short of making any kind of comment about, or commitment to, the Highway 17 four-laning project emphasized by Jamieson.

Previously, DOT officials had said the widening project was not contained in the DOT’s project plan within the next six years at least.

However, those same officials said the DOT’s six-year plan is reevaluated each year with projects being added to, removed from and modified within that long-range plan.