GDOT To Martin Road Residents

What is the message from the GDOT?

Most people do not understand the message that our Georgia Department of Transportation is sending clearly to the residents of Martin Road.

The message is, we have a 36 million dollars grant in federal funds and we are going to spend it on a diamond exit in your area, no matter what you say or do.

AFTER Exit 14 is opened, if and when funds are available (estimated about ten years); we will widen Martin Road. Thank you for waiting for ten or more years for available funds. Yes, Spout Springs Road has been waiting for available funds for years and we hope to begin widening it in about five years, maybe.

The fact that Martin Road will be total chaos for about ten years is okay with us; because we just do not want to lose the 36 million dollars in taxpayer money. Oh, did we tell you that by accepting the 36 million in taxpayer money; it does create a need for 46 million more taxpayer dollars to widen Martin Road. In ten years, that figure will be more than 50 million dollars with inflation. Hopefully Hall County citizens will be willing to pass another special additional tax to help raise those funds for Martin Road.

Yeah, ten years is not too long to wait for Martin Road expansion; we waited for almost 15 years to get the grant of 36 million. So we have to spend it now even though it will bring a lot of traffic to your two lane county road and residential area. Awe shucks, there would be an increase anyway because of population growth. Just be very careful trying to get onto Martin Road from your residence. And, be patient and please don’t write complaint letters to us, we will not have time to hear your griping; we will be too busy spending this 36 million dollars.

Silly Martin Road Community, some of your people have suggested that we send the 36 million back to Washington and for the GDOT wait for funds to build a north side exit only (for much less than 36 mil). You want us to build a two lane overpass from the north lane of I-985 to HF Reed Industrial Pkwy, so that they can develop their 80 acre industrial park (their real purpose for Exit 14).

Yes, the overpass would please everyone, the developers, the city of Oakwood and the residents of Martin Road. There would be no exit on the south side into Martin Road and everyone would be happy.

Now, do you understand the message?