No Paving Planned for Franklin Co. Side of Freedom Drive

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia
Franklin County will not be joining Stephens County in paving a road that runs through both counties.

At its meeting last month, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners voted to pave its part of Freedom Drive in the Gumlog Community.

The road off State Route 328 runs through both Stephens and Franklin Counties.

After voting, Stephens County officials said they would approach Franklin County about paving their part of the road at the same time.

However, Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas said that there is no money in the budget for that.

“I do know that we get phone calls on Freedom Road and I have driven down it myself,” she said. “I did not realize Stephens County was moving forward with their part of the road. What I can tell you is that the cost of paving one mile of roadway is $700,000. That would mean somewhere between 1.5 – 2 mils from everyone in the county to pave one mile of road. It’s very expensive.”

Months ago, Franklin County developed and the commission approved its LMIG road list of projects for FY 2015.

Thomas said Freedom Drive is not on that list.