Stephens Co. To Pave its Portion of Freedom Drive

Stephens County Commissioners will add part of a gravel road near the Franklin County line to its SPLOST VI paving list.

On Tuesday, Stephens County Commissioners voted unanimously to add the Stephens County portion of Freedom Drive to that paving list.

Freedom Drive is near Highway 328 in the Gumlog area and part of the road is in Stephens County, while part is in Franklin County.

Numerous residents on that road spoke to Stephens County Commissioners on Tuesday, asking for the road to be paved.

Lynn Brady and his wife have owned a home on Freedom Drive for about 20 years.

He said that the road is in good condition now because maintenance was just done, but adds that the road will not stay that way for very long.

“In a month, it will be gone,” said Brady, speaking of the road’s condition. “The gravel just does not hold.”

Residents also told commissioners that they had been told years ago that Stephens County would pave its portion of the road, but it was never done.

Stephens County Commission Chairman Dennis Bell said he feels it is time to pave that road.

“It was an absolute, horrible mess,” said Bell of the road before it was re-surfaced.

County commissioners also agreed to have the Roads and Bridges Committee go back and adjust the paving list accordingly after adding Freedom Drive.

Also, county commissioners asked staff to reach out to Franklin County about working with Franklin County to possibly pave the whole road while the Stephens County portion is being done.