TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. () – Tybee Island residents and business owners orchestrated a citizen-led meeting to express their concerns regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) proposal to remove double lanes on Highway 80.
Dozens of people gathered in Jaycee Park to denounce the plan with a goal of sending a message to city leaders and GDOT.
A big talker was more traffic on the island’s main thoroughfare spilling into the residential neighborhoods.
“What’s going to happen with this ridiculous plan is the majority of people are going to start going down Jones Ave., Lewis Ave., and other roads like they do when we have the 4th of July,” commented Tybee resident Marie Beebe.
Several business owners spoke out too and are worried about their employees getting to work on time.
“We will not be able to get employees to come to work,” said Karen Kelly, owner of Beach View Inn & Spa. “I live on the north end and drive to the south end. I don’t know how I’ll manage on a single lane. At 7:30 in the morning, if a car stops in the lane and I have to go around it, how is that going to work with only one lane?”
The plan also includes a new bike path along Highway 80 which was also unpopular among the crowd.
“My kids do not need to be riding on a bike path down Highway 80, and neither do anyone else’s,” said resident Chris Sturgess.
The plan has not been finalized.
GDOT continues to hold public forums on the island to engage with the public on the matter.
The next one is slated for Thursday, July 24, at the Guard House.
