Newton Citizen

More roundabouts, like this one at Turner Lake Road and Clark Street, could be in Newton County's future.

County commissioners gave their support of a proposal from the Georgia Department of Transportation to construct roundabouts at four intersections.

The DOT completed a statewide review of intersections where roundabouts could improve safety or operational efficiency, according to a letter sent to Chairman Kathy Morgan by DOT District Traffic Operations Manager Kedrick P. Collins Jr.

Based on the number and severity of crashes and/or the declining level of service with current intersection control measures such as stop signs or signals, the DOT recommended the following intersections as candidates for roundabouts:

* Ga. Highway 11 at U.S. Highway 278

* Ga. Highway 11 at Ga. Highway 142

* Ga. Highway 81 at Ga. Highway 162

* Ga. Highway 162 at Ga. Highway 212

The DOT would entirely fund the projects, with the county responsible for lighting and maintenance costs associated with landscaping. If the DOT decides to go through with the projects, construction would take place in the next two years, Morgan said.

Commissioner Mort Ewing said he hoped the DOT will consider plans for a four-lane road south of the intersection of Ga. Highways 11 and U.S. Highway 278 running to I-20 that was included in the Brick Store community plan a decade ago. All rezoning done since that time has required landowners to set aside land to accommodate the road, he said. A four-lane road is also planned to run east to Stanton Springs, the four-county mixed use park.

Ewing asked that the information along with a copy of the plans for the Brick Store Development Node be sent to the DOT.