S.R. 115 is in modern times a route that is essentially serves two purposes: as a two-lane extension of S.R. 400 and as an east-west highway connecting the county seats of Lumpkin, White and Habersham Counties. Respectively, those are Dahlonega, Cleveland and Clarkesville. While S.R. 115 does not directly connect Dahlonega, the highway is continuous to that city via S.R. 52. Historically, S.R. 115 was not a major route, but its recently-created direct connection with S.R. 400 combined with its function as a rough extension of S.R. 52 have given the highway significance. It is also a very scenic highway nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with stunning rural views west of Cleveland as well as historical charm in the downtowns of Cleveland and Clarkesville. S.R. 115 to the west extends directly from S.R. 400 along what was formerly known as Longbranch Road. The Longbranch Road section extends about five miles through a narrow valley up to S.R. 52. While Longbranch Road continues north, S.R. 115 turns east along an overlap with S.R. 52 for about two miles before the routes split. Then, S.R. 52 turns off the traffic through route to Brookton and Lula while S.R. 115 continues east to Cleveland. From there, S.R. 115 turns in a northeast direction before turning back east into Cleveland. In Cleveland, the roadway becomes an east-west route before joining S.R. 17 in Clarkesville. In Clarkesville, S.R. 115 joins S.R. 17 in an overlap east to U.S. 441 Business/S.R. 385 where S.R. 115 ends and S.R. 17 turns southward. While the highway still functions as a rural highway, it has heavy congestion during weekends due to its function as a tourist route. Not only has GDOT proposed to widen and improve this road as part of the long-range East-West Highway project [1], but White County itself conducted a study to build a new four-lane alignment along existing unpaved Sandy Flats Road to the north of the current route to replace the dangerous, winding two-lane highway. However, the measure was struck down by the commissioners in bordering Lumpkin County, which the new highway would enter [2]. This new route would create a more direct route into Cleveland via a combination of Longbranch Extension, part of Cavender Creek Road, an upgraded Sandy Flats Road and an improved Town Creek School Road in White County. If started, the project would require a realignment of the Longbranch/Cavender Creek intersection, replacement of the bridge over the Chestatee River and a total reconstruction of Sandy Flats Road. Another proposed relocation for S.R. 115 includes a southern by-pass of Cleveland including a significant portion of existing Westmoreland Road, also in White County, that ties into S.R. 384 to the east and existing S.R. 115 at S.R. 284 to the west. In all, S.R. 115 has remained a work in progress to find better and better routes for it to help it serve its dual purpose as an extension of S.R. 400 and as a vital link between four county seats. SOURCES 1. Georgia Department of Transportation. Governor's Road Improvement Program (GRIP). Accessed January 30, 2008. 2. Davis, Will. Evans delivers bridge $$. White County News. February 1, 2007. Accessed January 30, 2008. S.R. 115 HISTORY AND PHOTOS |
