Serving as an branch off of GA 72, GA 172 extends northeast to end in downtown Hartwell where US 29/GA 8 comes together with GA 51 and 77. In all, the highway serves as the express alternate route between Athens and Hartwell where U.S. 29 to the northwest subjects travelers to three different towns and heavier congestion. In all, GA 172 extends 28 miles through Madison, Elbert and Hart Counties.

Several interesting sites can be found along GA 172 including the historic city of Hartwell on its northern end, Lake Hartwell, the bizarre Georgia Guidestones and Watson Mill Bridge State Park, a park built around a historic covered bridge, not far from the southern end of the route.

GA 172 was first designated in the 1940's as projected mileage. This original mileage was less than half the entire length of the route today. This part of the route extended from the current northern terminus south to GA 17 in Bowman. Because the route first extended out of Hartwell, it is not known if the apparent numeric relationship to GA 72 was intentional.

By the early 1950's, GA 172 was not only signed and maintained, but also extended south to end at GA 72 in Colbert with a large part of the highway still unpaved. In 1952, GA 172 was only paved in Elbert County. This was remedied the following year when paving was complete on the entire route except for the portion between GA 72 and GA 98. This remaining small section was not fully paved until 1959. No major changes have occured on GA 172 since that time.

All photos below by J.T. Legg taken August 21, 2004.

	Old-style signs on new post on GA 98 eastbound at GA 172. Note the gas price under the 172 shield for a strange coincidence.
	Another old-style sign on new post westbound on GA 172 looking towards Athens and Colbert. This was the last section paved.

Georgia 172 Termini Gallery

All photos below by J.T. Legg.

Southern Terminus: GA 72 east of Colbert
Photos 1-3: Looking east on GA 72 towards Comer; First eastbound reassurance shield; Junction assembly east of the first photo. No end signage was present. All photos taken August 21, 2004.
Northern Terminus: U.S. 29/GA 8/77 in Hartwell
The first photo is looking east on U.S. 29 into downtown Hartwell. The second photo is the first reassurance shield southbound with a church on the right. The last is an old-style junction assembly on U.S. 29 northbound in Hartwell. Photos 1 and 2, taken May 1, 2005. Photo 3 taken July 17, 2004.

Here are links related to sites and information on or near GA 172:

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