Save My 44 is a group of local residents and business owners working on behalf of the citizens of Lake Oconee who are opposed to the GDOT planned widening of the urban portion of Highway 44 from Carey Station to Harmony Road. We are NOT opposed to significant improvements and increased capacity on this road – we embrace a safer and better highway. GDOT has not taken into consideration the unique aspects of this 5-mile section of Highway 44.

Sign our letter to let GA Politicians know you share our concerns about the planned HWY 44 expansion. With YOUR help, we can:

1. Persuade GDOT to suspend the planned massive, unnecessary expansion and consider a less disruptive solution to support our growth

2. Save the many local businesses along 44 who will experience significant loss with the current plan

3. Avoid the financial, aesthetic, and safety distress our community will experience with the current plan

Let our collective voices be heard!

Sign Our Letter Now!

View our plan!

OUR PETITION:

Governor Brian Kemp 206 Washington Street Suite 203. State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 

RE: State Route 44 Widening Project; Greene and Putnam Counties 

Honorable Governor Kemp, 

Save My 44 is a group of Greene and Putnam County citizens and business leaders extremely concerned with the Georgia Department of Transportation's proposed project to widen State Route 44 from Interstate Highway 20 to Harmony Road in Eatonton. 

While we support planned development at the Highway 20 /Route 44 intersection, the proposed plan for the urban portion of Highway 44 (Carey Station Road to Harmony Road) is unacceptably dangerous and destructive. We are requesting that this portion of Highway 44 now be considered a totally separate project. Suspend the planned massive and unnecessary expansion of this route and design a new plan; a solution that considers the current and future needs of our unique Lake community. 

We are not opposed to improvements that address congestion and efficiently manage traffic. We have proposed a solution that is safer, more cost-effective, environmentally respectful and reflects the specific needs of our community. In GDOT-attended meetings, petitions, and numerous public forums, the citizens of the Lake Oconee area have expressed their concern and opposition to the implementation of the GDOT design that is outdated and totally inappropriate for our community. 

The “urban” portion of 44 is our “Main Street” and the only connectivity between most neighborhoods and businesses. It is the thread that unites our community and Lake Oconee residents account for most of the traffic. Disruption to this flow will have a significant impact on all of us. Over 300 businesses operate along this corridor. The existing plan will affect all of these. Three to five years of construction would be unbearable, and many will not survive or choose to relocate when denied safe and reasonable access. This would be a loss to all residents who rely on the services provided. Lost business and reduced sales tax revenue means less revenue for our Counties to support local fire and law enforcement departments and road maintenance. 

We need GDOT to stop the aggressive acquisition of properties and redesign the current plan. We propose a design focused on safety and efficient traffic management that will require less property, less asphalt, less construction time, and less environmental and business impact. The citizens of the Lake Oconee area want a safe, efficient roadway that enhances our beautiful Lake community and does not destroy the very qualities that attracted us and will, hopefully, continue to color our future. 

Please visit our website for details on proposed solutions and design. More information on Community involvement and interest displayed at recent public meetings regarding the planned reconstruction of our main thoroughfare is also available. 

Thank you.

CC: Russell McMurray, GDOT Commissioner Burt Jones, Lieutenant Governor

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By signing our letter, you are helping us to let GA Politicians know you share our concerns about the planned HWY 44 expansion.

Here are our concerns/suggestions:

1. First, we need to consider CARY STATION TO HARMONY ROAD a Separate, Complete, and Unique Project!

2. DESIGN (redesign) a New, Comprehensive, End-to-End Solution (NOT Parcel by Parcel)

3. Recognize Lake Oconee residents are the drivers…44 is our MAIN STREET

4. Current BASIC plan is 20+ years old…Outdated, Dangerous, and Destructive. It is a Community-Destroying approach that we don’t want or need. It does not meet the requirements of our established, growing, unique lake community.

5. WIDTH is a key issue: Eliminate unnecessary bike and pedestrian Lanes as well as Medians that force one-way traffic and require dangerous U-turns.

- Greene County Side: 2-4 lanes with center turn lane. Safe turn-ins on both sides where needed.

- Putnam County Side: 2 lanes with center turn lane, including deceleration and turn-ins. This plan will not destroy the “retail sector” (tax base) that the County uses to maintain the roads.

We embrace a cohesive design that integrates the needs of both counties and enhances the community that unites them.

The Plan North of Cary Station Road (at Highway 20) is NOT part of this project.

We need GDOT to STOP the aggressive acquisition process.

Redesign Not Retrofit

Over 300 businesses operate along the 44 corridor (Cary Station Road south to Harmony intersection). The existing GDOT plan will affect all of these. Many will not survive or choose to relocate when denied safe and reasonable access. This is a loss to all residents who rely on the services provided. Instead of managing or accommodating traffic, this plan changes the very aesthetics and charm of the Lake Oconee corridor and neighborhood. This is a potential loss for all who live and work here and are attracted by the resort charm of this community.

Share the Word!