Lee Bypass ready to open

LEESBURG _ The newly-constructed North Leesburg bypass from Leslie Highway to U.S. 19 is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to Leesburg City Manager Bob Alexander.

The bypass is expected to give some Lee County parents and school bus drivers an opportunity to pick up students without having to cross U.S. Highway 19. The new route is also expected to alleviate some of the traffic in downtown Leesburg during school dropoff and pickup times.

Alexander said the opening of the bypass will cause detours for a few weeks for people traveling on Highway 195, the Leslie Highway. Those delays will start Thursday morning, Alexander said.

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.

Detour signs will be posted to assist motorists during the transition. Leslie Highway could be closed for several weeks, depending on the weather and other factors, Alexander said.

Alexander said a formal ribbon cutting is expected to be conducted some time Monday and may include an appearance by Georgia House Speaker David Ralston.