What’s really going on with the ‘Waycross Bypass’?
Editor, The Times: This is a question that I, and thousands of Pierce County residents should be asking the county commission. If I had the opportunity, I would also ask the commissioners a few more questions as well, such as: Why are Pierce County residents being asked to sacrifice their land to the state through eminent domain laws, all for the sake of “Alleviating congestion concerns” in Waycross? Why does Waycross even need a full circle looping “bypass” on all sides of the county, and why is that Pierce County's problem? What benefit does this proposed bypass bring to Pierce County? What is really going on with this bypass, and why did our commissioners already approve to move forward with the next step in this project?
The plans for the Waycross Bypass were shot down both 20 years, and then again 10 years ago after a large public outcry and 63% disapproval. In a recent county commission meeting, commissioners voted to support a resolution to approve the bypass, moving the process to the next stage. Georgia DOT will not even discuss the plans until all three commissions agree to the basic concept of a bypass. At the time of this writing, those meeting minutes are not available online, so it’s not possible to review what (if any) discussion was had on this topic, and what commissioners voted to approve the resolution.
