BANKS CROSSING – A new road that is one of the first steps to changing traffic flow on U.S. 441/Ga. 15 through Banks Crossing was dedicated Monday.
The extension of Eisenhower Drive to Diana Way is complete, with the road open to traffic and providing an alternate exit from Cracker Barrel and four local hotels.
“This road gives people an opportunity to circle around and not have to take a left-hand turn out of the businesses down here without the help of a traffic signal,” said Banks County Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper. “Now, they can come through Eisenhower, go up to the top of the circle, catch a red light and turn left and be safe.”
A traffic circle at Dana Way will take motorists onto Faulkner Drive between Culver’s and Pritchett Tire, where they can continue straight or turn left or right onto U.S. 441/Ga. 15.
“The main reason, when I came in office seven years ago, was I really concerned about the safety element at Bank Crossing,” Hooper said. “We have numerous, numerous wrecks here every weekend. It’s just for the sheer amount of traffic that we have at Banks Crossing.”
Safety is only one of the reasons for construction of the new road.
“A reason is the economic impact it’s going to have on Banks Crossing,” Hooper said. “Not since 1963 have we made this much additional space for commerce and industry. I can envision motels, hotels, restaurants, service industries, maybe even a convention center.”
The new road extension is bordered by both county-owned and a privately-owned property that currently is undeveloped.
“It’s just opened up opportunities for more growth that we didn’t have anymore,” Hooper said. “Anybody that comes down 441and the 85 exit knows that almost all the property on both sides of the road at the Crossing now has some kind of building or business already established.”
Hooper said commissioners didn’t want to wait and watch another road built by another county that takes customers off 441 and out of Banks County the way Steven B. Tanger Boulevard did in the 1990s.
“This gives an opportunity for some businesses that don’t necessarily have to have road frontage to succeed, such as restaurants and motels, so we’re excited about that,” Hooper said.
Hooper said the project was completed almost entirely with state money, with commissioners designating the Local Maintenance Improvement Grant money for the project. A sidewalk is in place along the road, though not lighted at this time.
“This is phase one of three phases,” Hooper said. “The second phase will be the completion of Faulkner Drive, where this road will tie into Faulkner Drive and you can go all the way to Tanger Outlets. The third phase will be the realignment of actual 441, where the elimination of the majority of left-hand turns will improve the safety. It’s a great day for Banks County.”
Commissioners have made no secret that the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to install a raised concrete median at Banks Crossing to restrict left turns, thus reducing traffic collisions in that area.
Additionally, Hooper said the left turn onto Steven B. Tanger Boulevardeentually will be eliminated, with traffic diverted to the redesigned Faulkner Drive once that project is completed. Hooper said he is hopeful construction of that road, behind Wendy’s and tying in near Sonic, might be completed in about a year.
