The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is about to present the Draft FY 2013 - 2016 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) in Northwest Georgia for public review and comment.

The STIP is a four-year program that specifies federally funded transportation projects for non-urban communities in rural Georgia for fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. These projects include, but are not limited to, new construction, improvements, and maintenance for interstates and state routes, and bridges. Additional projects include bicycle and pedestrian projects, transportation enhancement projects and public transit projects.

The Georgia DOT District Six Office in Cartersville will sponsor two Open House meetings where the public can view the Draft FY 13-16 STIP in Northwest Georgia, view maps of projects in the local area, discuss project with GDOT staff, and formally offer comments. The meetings are open to the public and all constituents are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Meetings in Northwest Georgia will be held:

Tuesday, October 23, 2012, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the GDOT District 6 Conference Room, located at 500 Joe Frank Harris Parkway in Cartersville

Thursday, November 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 Northside Drive in the city of Carrollton

The general public is invited to view projects planned for Bartow, Carroll, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Pickens, Polk, and Walker counties. Projects for Catoosa, Cherokee, Floyd, Paulding and Whitfield counties in this region that are part of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (areas with more than 50,000 in population) will be available for public comment in a separate meeting, at a later date.

The Draft FY 13-16 STIP will also be available on the internet at www.georgiastip.com. The Department looks forward to working with the public during the development of the Draft FY 13-16 STIP.

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