House Speaker David Ralston cuts ribbon on new North Leesburg Bypass

LEESBURG — Leesburg officials, assorted dignitaries and Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston cut the ribbon on the $8 million North Leesburg Bypass Monday. The 1.78-mile bypass will relieve school day congestion in the city by routing traffic from U.S. 19 around the city of Leesburg north to State Route 195.

The bypass starts just north of Leesburg schools on State Route 195, connects to Old Smithville Road and then continues westward with a bridge over the railroad tracks and U.S. Highway 19 before looping back to U.S. 19.

“We’ve very excited about this project because it is a big deal for us,” Leesburg City Manager Bob Alexander said. “It will improve traffic congestion downtown, school bus safety and provide the opportunity for economic development. As I said before, this is a big deal for a small town like Leesburg.

“Plus, I think it looks great.”

Lee County School officials said the $8 million bypass, funded by a combination of state and federal dollars, was sorely needed.

“As our county has grown, so have our schools,” Lee School Board Chairperson Sylvia Vann said. “Unless you have children in the school system you might not know that on school days, the population of Leesburg triples. This bypass will not only help with school day safety, all parts of our community will also benefit from this project.”

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Leesburg North Bypass will be designated State Route 195 once a local government agreement is made.

Alexander added a section of the Leslie Highway would be temporarily closed while construction crews work on a new intersection with the bypass. Traffic at Leslie Highway will be shifted onto the bypass and Leslie Highway will be closed just south of the traffic shift so the contractor can finish construction of the intersection.

“I always enjoy visiting south Georgia and try to make a visit down here at least once a year because it reminds me of home,” Ralston a native of Ellijay, said. “And to me, there is no greater compliment than saying a place reminds you of home.”