Unclogging Washington Road, at last

Motorists on Columbia Countys busiest thoroughfare this week got a glimpse of good news when the Department of Transportation began installing a center turn lane on Washington Road in Evans.

In a meeting Thursday in Atlanta with DOT officials, Columbia County commissioners were hoping for more good news: Theyre making a plea with DOT to widen the busy highway all the way from Flowing Wells Road to Pollards Corner.

The project wouldnt be swallowed in one gulp. Just as the current repaving project has laid down asphalt one lane at a time, Commission Chairman Ron Cross says their pitch to the DOT is to widen Washington Road in phases, in priority from east to west - especially in the area of the long-rumored Target store project.

There are problems, from the states tight budget to the tight squeeze with railroad tracks near Club Car. But county officials are convinced theres room to open the clogged road if DOT will come up with its share of the funding.

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In any event, DOT officials say the current phase, which will be a great improvement, will be completed by Thanksgiving. If it stays on schedule, thats certainly something to be thankful for.