All-Way Flashing Stops Coming to Two Intersections in Franklin County

Some new stop signs designed to increase safety will be installed at two major intersections in Franklin County, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

G-DOT announced this week crews will be replacing the current stop signs with four-way flashing stop signs at the intersection of SR 51 and SR 326.

Additionally, the intersection of SR 8 and SR 145 will be a three-way stop with a flashing stop sign.

Leading up to the switch, the G-DOT crews will complete some preliminary work, including placing lighted message boards around both intersections two weeks prior to the work taking place.

The messages will notify the general public about the brand-new all-stop condition and will remain in place for some time after the new flashing stop signs are installed.

Work is anticipated to begin the week of April 17, 2023, if weather permits.

Motorists should watch for the GDOT sign and maintenance teams who will be in the roadway leading up to the official all-way stop launch.

G-DOT is asking that all motorists that travel in both those areas be alert to changing operational conditions.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas tells WLHR News they have had more accidents at the intersection of SR51 and SR326 than SR8 and SR145.

He added that the SR51/326 intersection has had more accidents than SR8/145.

The SR8/145 intersection is also near where the new elementary school will be built and Thomas said expects heavy traffic in the area once the school is open.

Additionally, Thomas said he was told G-DOT plans to put in a roundabout at the intersection of US29 and SR145, again to control traffic once the new school is open.

WLHR News reached out to GDOT regarding the roundabout.

GDOT spokeswoman Elizabeth Johnson confirmed there is a plan in place for a roundabout at that intersection and the flashing stop signs are what she called an interim safety step.

She said while the roundabout project has been assigned a project number, it has not yet been scheduled.