Gasaway Says Hwy. 17 To Bring Growth, Opportunities for Toccoa

When the new four-lane Georgia Highway 17 is finished, it will be getting itself an official name.

28th District State Representative Dan Gasaway said they are branding the four-lane Georgia Highway 17 from Interstate 85 at Lavonia all the way through Stephens County to the Tom Arrendale Interchange in Habersham County as the Currahee Parkway.

Gasaway said the goal is to promote it as alternate route for cars headed south to Atlanta to take instead of taking Interstate 85 when I-85 is blocked, backed up, or under congestion.

“It will involve at some point, electronic signage out on 85 that shows live travel time, live travel time exiting at Lavonia,” said Gasaway. “As we know, 50,000 to 60,000 cars are out there each day traveling.”

Gasaway went on to say that he feels it will be an appealing option for travelers.

“This is a beautiful area that many of these people have never driven through,” said Gasaway. “They will drive through here and be amazed.”

He also said the community has the potential to reap the benefits from this new, four-lane roadway.

“I really believe that this road has tremendous potential,” said Gasaway. “It is up to the community to decide how to take advantage of that.”

He added that it is the community’s role to mold it how it wants it to be.

Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President Julie Paysen said there is a committee looking at how the community can help draw those travelers off of Highway 17 and get them into Toccoa.