More roads? Thanks, but no-thanks - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

More roads? Thanks, but no-thanks

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Monday, May 20 2013 7:22 AM EDT2013-05-20 11:22:08 GMT
    When times are tough, small businesses usually take the hardest hit but when things start looking up, they're often the quickest to recover. That's exactly what the Albany Chamber of Commerce says they've
    The Albany Chamber of Commerce is using a series of Lunch and Learns during National Small Business Appreciation week to make it easier for small businesses to bounce back, by encouraging all to participate and gather the right tools.

  • Monday, May 20 2013 12:58 AM EDT2013-05-20 04:58:02 GMT
    © Madison Daughtry
    A South Georgia girl is asking the community for help to provide scholarships for college-bound young women. In February, Madison Daughtry was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Leesburg for the
    In February, Madison Daughtry was named the Distinguish Young Woman of Leesburg for the Class of 2014.

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:16:35 GMT
    The Tift County Sheriff's investigators are still searching for clues to find a missing pregnant woman. Her mother is making a plea to find her daughter who hasn't been seen in more than two months. Diane
    The Tift County Sheriff's investigators are still searching for clues to find Crystal Hendrix. Her mother is making a plea to find her daughter who hasn't been seen in more than two months.
    •   

December 19, 2006

Thomas County-- Thomasville Chamber of Commerce president Don Sims says the interstate extension proposal is still in the beginning stages.   "This has been proposed by Albany and Dougherty county and it came from them so it's a brand new look at what might be."

The extension would take interstate 185 from Columbus, where it ends now, down to Albany, then through Camilla, Pelham, Thomasville, and ending in Monticello Florida.

Sims says for Albany, it's a good plan.  "The people in Albany already have their interchanges in place so it becomes mechanically, an easier matter for them to be for an interstate," he says.

Sims says he's concerned there just isn't enough room to bring an interstate through this part of town. That might mean a bypass, and a lot of Thomas county businesses could lose out.

"In looking at it and talking to some consultants that we've talked to they felt sure that that would have to be bypassed," says Sims.

And for all the business investments along highway 19 in Thomasville, he says this just won't do.  "It doesn't seem to do what its intended to and that is increase economic opportunity for the citizens and businesses," says Sims. 

In the end, the federal government will make the final decision. And Thomasville businesses will hope it comes out in the their favor.

The department of transportation has already laid funds aside for a study that will start next spring, into the best plan for the interstate extension.

Feedback: news@walb.com?subject=185ExtensionPlans/SB