Traffic Shift on SR328 in Avalon Begins Today

Another traffic pattern shift as crews with the Georgia Dept of Transportation work to widen SR17 in Stephens County.

G-DOT spokesperson Teri Pope said beginning today, crews will shift traffic on to temporary asphalt on SR328 at its intersection with the new SR17 in order to do work on that intersection.

Pope says that to build the new, four-lane 17, all of the roads that intersect SR17 must be changed to match the new highway.

“As we go through all of 17 that we are widening, those side streets have to be adjusted,” said Pope. “In Avalon, where 328 comes into 17, we have some temporary asphalt down and if weather cooperates with us, on Tuesday we will shift 328 traffic on to this temporary asphalt, so we can remove the existing asphalt and re-set the grade of 328 as it comes in to 17.”

Pope says that, unlike several other intersections, traffic will be able to use SR328 without a detour while this work takes place.

However, she says drivers entering SR328 from SR17 need to use caution while the temporary asphalt is being used.

“Pay attention and slow down, especially Tuesday and the first couple of days, so that you can get used to it,” said Pope. “If you do not pay much attention, you might not notice the shift. Just do what the barrels and the signs tell you to do.”

This is all part of the project to build a four-lane SR17 from Memorial Drive in Toccoa south to the Franklin-Stephens County line.

Crews are working on it as two separate projects, the northern end and the southern end. Pope says work at both ends of the widening project is going very well.

“The 17 projects are both right on schedule,” said Pope. “Technically, it is two projects. They are right on target.”

Once again, drivers using SR328 in Avalon should be aware that traffic on Highway 328 will shift onto temporary asphalt at its intersection with the new SR17 beginning today weather permitting.

There is no word on how long traffic will use the temporary asphalt.