Appalachian Parkway Phase 2 Opens

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Phase 2 of the Appalachian Parkway – a potentially life-saving, two-mile stretch of four-lane highway winding its way around the downtown business district of Cleveland, opened today.

State Senator Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) and State Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville were on hand along with city and county officials from Helen, Cleveland, Dahlonega and White, Lumpkin and Union counties.

Gooch commented on how the new parkway would reduce travel time dramatically for emergency vehicles transporting patients from Union and White counties to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner credited Gooch, Rogers and State Rep. Lee

Hawkins (R-Gainesville) for their effort in the state legislature.

“Without those guys, this would not have been possible,” he said. “On behalf of the citizens of White County and north Georgia, we appreciate their support.”

Georgia Department of Transportation Engineer Brent Cook talked about the cost of the project. Purchasing the right of way for Phase 1 and 2 cost approximately $26 million he said. Construction of Phase 1 cost $20 million. Phase 2 cost $25 million plus $2.5 million for engineering. All told, you’re looking at about $75 or $76 million investment,” he said. “But this product, as you will see when you get to ride it, is a good product.”

Gooch thanked taxpayers who supported HB 170, The Transportation Improvement ACT passed two years ago.

“As a state senator, I thank you for your support of that tax policy,” he said. “It takes a lot of financial resources to get projects like this done. The taxpayers of Georgia take money out of their pockets every time they put gas in their cars. That’s what paid for this project and so many others like it.”

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