On the first leg of "Operation R3", I took GA 20 to Rome so that I could experience first-hand what a hassle it is to make your way to Rome along this route.

Our first stop is where GA 20 meets I-75 (Exit 290/Canton/Rome)...



From here, we proceed westbound to this dead end, where we pick up US 411 and (briefly) GA 61...


The top green sign in the background directs travelers to Kingston and Rome.

From this dead end, we turn left and proceed mere feet to this point...


Here is where US 411southbound and US 41 northbound share pavement in what we roadgeeks call a "wrong-way multiplex".

But wait... there's more... as we proceed up this entrance ramp to the end and find...


Notice the assurance marker in the background is only for US 41 north. What about US 411 south... and for that matter GA 20 west?!!!

But wait... there's even more, folks, as we drive up this US 41/411 "wrong-way multiplex"...


Yes, we get to encounter at least a couple of traffic lights.

After making our way through this mess, we see what we're looking for... the green signs letting us know that we're just half a mile from the US 411/GA 20 four-lane to ROME!


However, we have to endure yet one more traffic light... BOOOOOOOO!!!



And finally... yes FINALLY... we see the exit for ROME... YAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!


Now, ladies and gentlemen... we shall finally proceed off this "wrong-way multiplex".


.... and now, we shoot down the US 411/GA 20 four-lane to ROME!!!


Fortunately, there are only a handful of traffic lights between this trumpet interchange and Rome, but they are spaced far enough apart and the speed limit on most of this stretch of 4-lane divided highway is 65 MPH.

Hopefully, I have given y'all a decent taste of the "maze" one must endure to get from Atlanta to Rome. I can only imagine if you have to drive a truck along this route, given it's apparent inefficiency.

The last I checked, the Georgia DOT has drawn up the plans for the US 411 Connector and received the necessary environmental, archaeological, and historical clearances. All that needs to be done is to acquire the land and start building. If it is built as per the last plan I've seen, it will be a nearly 7-mile, 4-lane divided highway with no traffic signals and no cross-traffic intersections and one folded-diamond interchange at US 411/GA 61 just north of where GA 20 currently meets this road.

If you'd like to share your thoughts about the US 411 Connector, then please feel free to post a comment or otherwise e-mail me at steve at georgiaroadgeek dot com.

BTW, on my way back home yesterday from Huntsville, I took I-565 back to I-65, where I proceeded southbound to US 278 in Cullman, US 278 to Gadsden, and then US 411 to Rome and Cartersville, and finally, GA 20 to GRG HQ. I not only got more I-65 mileage under my belt, but I also "clinched" Alabama's Cullman and Blount Counties during this homeward stretch.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading and please come back often.

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion