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Public works proposes moving Greenway plan segment off SR-400 to Lumpkin Campground Road to ease DOT permitting
Summary
Public Works Director Robert Drewy recommended amending the county Greenway and Trail Master Plan to relocate Segment 3 from State Route 400 to Lumpkin Campground Road and to proceed with Segment 4B (Thompson Creek Park Road) improvements; commissioners raised safety, right-of-way and maintenance questions.
Public Works Director Robert Drewy told the Dawson County Board of Commissioners that he intends to propose two amendments to the county Greenway and Trail Master Plan: move Segment 3 off State Route 400 and onto Lumpkin Campground Road, and proceed with improvements for Segment 4B along Thompson Creek Park Road in line with planned T‑SPLOST projects.
"My proposal tonight is twofold," Drewy said. He explained that relocating the Lumpkin Campground segment removes the State DOT from the permitting picture and better aligns with the county's upcoming Lumpkin Campground Road improvements. He showed typical cross-sections that could include a three-lane roadway with curb, gutter and a side path on the east side, and said existing right-of-way varies between 60 and 80 feet along parts of Lumpkin Campground Road, possibly requiring some additional acquisition.
On Segment 4B (Thompson Creek Park Road), Drewy described a shared side path to improve connections to the lake but noted the corridor has limited right-of-way. He said the project could be advanced as a T‑SPLOST improvement and that adding a pedestrian component might open eligibility for federal funds.
Commissioners asked substantive questions. One commissioner raised concerns about speeding on Thompson Creek Park Road and the safety of mixing bicycles and pedestrians with boat trailers on a road that historically has had high speeds; another asked whether the county would maintain the side path or contract maintenance out. Drewy said the county would likely maintain the path whether it is in the SR‑400 right-of-way or on Lumpkin Campground Road and that utilities and right-of-way constraints would influence alignment and whether sidewalks are placed on one or both sides.
Drewy said the county has contracted engineering (KCI) for related intersection work and expected to present three concepts for an industrial park intersection in the next 30–60 days, reinforcing the need to finalize alignment decisions now to coordinate impacts.
No formal vote was taken at the work session; Drewy sought board approval to advance the proposed relocations and to incorporate trail elements into forthcoming road designs.
