Negotiations are scheduled to begin soon, with road construction scheduled to begin in 2010.  This stretch of widening from a two lane highway to a divided 4 lane highway will displace appproximately 33 homes in the next section of the ongoing State Route Highway 72 east widening project in Madison County, Georgia.  This leg of the project involves a 10+- mile stretch by-passing the towns of Colbert, Georgia and extending to the next portion to be affected which will be the by-pass of Comer, Georgia.  Many other homes will be affected by the Georgia Department of Transportation acquiring additional easements or portions of highway frontage from current owners.

The final number of homes to be affected is unknown at this time but is estimated to be 50, due to characteristics of individual lots including the existence of septic tanks,  family cemeteries, and more.   In The Main Street News, Teri Pope, Northeast Georgia District communications officer for the Georgia Department of Transportation is quoted as stating "Because of things that continue to change during negotiations, that number is fluid...There's always things that can happen, but as of right now, those numbers are projections". 

The initial leg of this widening project, from the intersection of Highway 29, North in Athens, Georgia to the city of Colbert, Georgia, left many homeowners angry and disgruntled.  The impact on real estate is still felt when attempting to re-sell homes that were not bought or moved by the Georgia Department of Transportation.  Many of these homes were left with extremely minimal front yards and small lots, which negatively impact marketing attempts.  The Georgia Department of Transportation has published a State Route 72 fact sheet with more information on this project. 

For relocation and general information (including school information, crime statistics and more) about Athens, Georgia and the surrounding area including Madison County, Georgia, visit our other articles in this community blog at All About Athens GA.

For more information about homes for sale and real estate in Athens, GA or to request a Relocation Package for Athens, GA and the surrounding areas, please visit our website at Success Realty or email Michelle DeRepentigny at Michelle@SuccessRealtyGa.com.

Other Madison County, Georgia Information:

Madison County School Information

Madison County Crime Statistics

What Others Say About the Athens Georgia metro Area - of which Madison County, Georgia is a bedroom community!

All information believed accurate, but not guaranteed.