Bypass Around City of Gray Coming Soon

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The intersection by the railroad tracks in Gray is known for six roads and 18-wheelers frequenting the roads.

Jones County Commission Chairman Preston Hawkins says during rush hours, it’s just a mess.

“Traffic in downtown Gray is terrible, people coming from Milledgeville, people will be backed up a half to three quarters of a mile on the east side of highway 22,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins says it’s taken about 20 years, but a solution is on the horizon. A six and a half mile loop starting on Highway 22 East and dropping drivers up the road closer to Milledgeville is in the works. The hope is to clear up traffic and speed up the trip to bulldog country.

“We’re the only town between Macon and Athens that does not have a bypass. I used to tell the commission I can’t believe Georgia alumni had not already wrote them up for not having it,” joked Hawkins.

Georgia fan and owner of Treasures by the Tracks, Rick Childs says he knows his regular customers will appreciate less congestion in front of his restaurant. He will, however, miss all the game day excitement.

“It’s fun to watch all the traffic going by, and people in a good mood trying to get ready for the game. That will be something we miss seeing,” said Childs.

Childs says with the bypass taking customers around his shop, he might not be cooking for as many out-of-towners, but he’ll be okay.

“Locals are probably about 90 to 95% of our business,” said Childs.

Hawkins says part of the hold up was the state needed to buy 80 parcels of land to build the bypass. He’s proud to say the state was able to do so without any court interference.

The bypass is completely funded by state and federal money. Construction is set for next spring.