Chamber of Commerce, local and county officials from Albany and surrounding areas say they want the state to extend I-185 down to I-10 in Florida, and route it through their area.
They met on Monday in Albany with Georgia Department of Transportation officials to discuss the proposal, which includes a 32-county area.
I-185 now runs from Lagrange to Columbus. The proposed extension would add about 180 miles to the route and take it all the way to Tallahassee.
Dan Bollinger, director of the Southwest Georgia Regional Development Center says a projected population of over a million people by 2040 makes the highway essential:
“If we have expanded transportation capabilities, I think it would enhance our ability to attract new industry to this area, and really maintain and enhance our growth rates in the future.”Bollinger says the road would also serve Homeland Security needs, since there are several military installation along the way.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of transportation issues in Georgia.
