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BACKGROUND For many years, improved connectivity across Central Georgia has been a priority of Georgia’s leadership. Home to three of Georgia’s largest cities, the corridor has been a strategic target for economic development initiatives and is iden- tified as a critical freight and mobility link between Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. in Georgia’s Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan (2010-2030). Facilitating efficient east-west movement across central Georgia is critical for several reasons. It is home to three mili- tary bases: Fort Benning in Columbus, Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins and Fort Gordon in Augusta. Addi- tionally, the fall line boasts agricultural and industrial resources, including an abundance of kaolin - one of central Geor- gia’s key natural resources (8-million tons of this white rock are mined annually in the state, at an estimated value of over $1 billion. Kaolin can be found in a variety of household products, including paper, ceramics, plastic, paint and pharmaceuticals). STUDY PURPOSE: The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is conduct- ing an analysis of the overall Central Georgia corridor to identify and plan for future transportation needs impacting intra-regional mobility. The study will consider natural resources, freight, eco- nomics, and the travel patterns of the general public. Working with area stakeholders, the team will establish goals, ob- jectives, and evaluation factors in order to assess existing and fu- ture conditions and develop and test improvement scenarios that meet the needs of the corridor in the future. Recommendations will address how the state, counties, and cities in the study area can invest to ensure that future connections and mobility across the study area are preserved. C ONNECT C ENTRAL G EORGIA S TUDY For more information, please visit our website at: www.dot.ga.gov/connectcentralgeorgia.html WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Opportunities to participate in the study will begin in the Fall of 2011. A series of public workshops will be held to present study information and to generate discussion on the issues of safe and efficient connectivity and mobility across Central Georgia. A public survey will be available online and at loca- tions throughout the study area beginning in September 2011. Four lane divided section of SR 88 between Sanders- ville and Wrens, GA Two lane section of SR 57 east of Gordon, GA
