SR 15 US 441 Widening

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 122090
Type: Reconstruction/Rehabilitation
Project Length: 7.5 miles
Affected Counties: Rabun
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 191
Estimated Cost: $118,053,129
Right-of-Way Funds: $32,060,000

Description

Known locally as Highway 441, County Road 15/US 441 is a main artery for the area connecting Georgia to North Carolina. The road is set to be reconstructed and widened from just north of Clayton at the city limits all the way to the North Carolina state line.

Widening the road from two to four lanes along the 7.5 project path will increase traffic flow and grow the road’s footprint significantly. A 20-foot raised median would be included along the entire route with the exception of a portion in Dillard, where the median will only be six feet wide. The project will also revise the bridge of the Little Tennessee River, and add a bridge over Betty Creek.

Funding for the project comes from the T-SPLOST, or Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, levied on the district for the purpose of raising infrastructure funds.

Business and Homeowner Concerns

While the project will seek to minimize impact for property owners along the 7.5 mile stretch of highway, takings are inevitable and may be significant. And “inevitable” is a fitting word for property owners who have been facing the prospect of losing land for decades. The project has been in planning stages for nearly 30 years, with preliminary engineering starting as far back as 1993, and right of way funds being calculates in 2016.

As a result of the takings, property owners may lose more than just a piece of land. They may lose the ability to use their land as they want, as buildings, homes, and businesses may no longer conform to county regulations. They may also be faced with temporary and permanent easements for things like construction, drainage, and possibly utilities.

Access to properties will also be affects, with the raised median limiting where traffic can cross the road.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

Whether your business, commercial property, or home is in the path of the SR 15 US 441 widening project, you should know that you have rights guaranteed by the state constitution. GDOT can and will take your land, but you have the right to fair compensation. The government’s initial offer is just the beginning (and almost always low). As long as you do not accept it, you can fight for more. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not take an attorney’s fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – our no fee guarantee. The initial offer is entirely yours regardless of what you do next or what we may be able to obtain. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you.

News and Publications

WDUN T-SPLOST: What’s in it for NE Ga.?

The Gainesville Times Georgia may widen US 441 from Clayton to North Carolina

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – now

Start Construction – 2023

End Construction – TBD

Affected Parcels

An estimated 191 parcels of property will be affected by the SR 15 US 441 widening project in Rabun County. All of them may face significant loss of value, and some of those properties may lose significant amounts of their land. For homeowners and commercial property owners in the path of the project, it is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

1-888-391-1339

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