Georgia State Route 49
State Route 49 is a state highway that travels southwest-to-northeast through portions of Terrell, Sumter, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bibb, Jones, and Baldwin counties, mainly in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The highway connects SR 45 north of Dawson to SR 22/SR 24 in Milledgeville.
The segment from Fort Valley to Byron is part of the Fall Line Freeway, a highway that connects Columbia to Augusta. It may also be incorporated into the proposed eastern extension of Interstate 14, which is currently entirely in Central Texas, and may be extended into Augusta.
Route description
SR 49 begins at an intersection with SR 45 at a point about north of Dawson, in Terrell County. It heads to the northeast and crosses over Kinchafoonee Creek into Sumter County. The highway continues to the northeast. In Croxton Crossroads is an intersection with SR 308. It curves to the north past Koinonia Community Lake. The route then curves back to the north-northeast and intersects US 280/SR 27 southwest of Americus. The three highways run concurrently to the northeast. Approximately later, US 19/SR 3 join the concurrency. Immediately, the five routes enter Americus. About later, US 19/SR 3 split off to the northeast on North Martin Luther King Boulevard, while US 280/SR 27/SR 49 turn to the east on West Lamar Street. On the east side of town, SR 49 departs to the north on Tripp Street and meets the westbound lanes of US 280/SR 27/SR 49, before heading northeast again. It passes Argo Lake and the Jimmy Carter Regional Airport on its way out of town. Before leaving the county, the highway passes John James Lake, Tharpe Lake, and Charles Reeves Lake. Then, it curves to the north and meets the northern terminus of SR 195. About farther to the north, it begins to run along the Sumter–Macon county line and passes through the western part of Andersonville National Historic Site and east of the town of Andersonville. Then, it crosses into Macon County proper and resumes its northeastern routing, passing through the extreme northern part of the historic site. The route passes through Clearview, before approaching Oglethorpe. Just southwest of town, is an intersection with SR 26 and SR 49 Truck/SR 128. At this intersection, SR 49/SR 49 Truck/SR 128 head northeast into town concurrently. They meet the southern terminus of SR 128 Bypass and pass Oglethorpe Cemetery. At Sumter Street, they intersect SR 90; SR 90/SR 128 head to the northwest, and SR 49/SR 90 curve to the east. They cross over the Flint River and enter Montezuma. At Dooly Street, the two routes divide, with SR 90 heading south-southwest and SR 49 heading to the north-northeast. SR 49 passes through rural areas of the county and has a concurrency with SR 127 that ends in Marshallville. A little farther to the north-northeast, the highway runs along the Macon–Peach county line before entering Peach County proper. It continues to the northeast, toward Fort Valley. Just before entering town, it meets the western terminus of University Boulevard, which leads to Fort Valley State University and serves as a southern bypass route of town. In Fort Valley, the highway passes Oak Lawn Cemetery, before entering the main part of town. There, it intersects US 341/SR 7/SR 96. In the northeastern part of town, SR 49 passes Peach Regional Medical Center, before it leaves town. Then, it meets the eastern terminus of SR 49 Connector and SR 540. Here, SR 540 joins SR 49 in a concurrency. From this intersection, the next of road is part of the Fall Line Freeway, an expressway that connects Columbus and Augusta. Northeast of Fort Valley, SR 49/SR 540 passes the Pine Needles Country Club. In Powersville, the two highways meet the western terminus of SR 247 Connector. In Byron, it meets the eastern terminus of SR 42, before having an interchange with Interstate 75, where SR 540 and the Fall Line Freeway depart to the north. The highway continues to the northeast and travels along the Peach–Houston county line. Almost immediately after its county line section, it intersects US 41/SR 11. The three highways head concurrently to the northeast on Industrial Highway. Then, they enter Houston County, where they pass Vinsons Lake. Slightly to the northeast, they cross over Echeconnee Creek into Bibb County. The concurrent routes pass northwest of Middle Georgia Regional Airport, before curving to the north. Approximately south of Macon, US 129/SR 247 join the concurrency. The five highways cross over the Tobesofkee and Rocky creeks and enter Macon. Just over into the city, is a major intersection. US 41/SR 247 head northwest to the left, Houston Avenue heads north straight ahead, and US 129/SR 11/SR 49 head north-northeast to the right, concurrent with US 41 Business. The four highways continue to an intersection with US 80/SR 22, which join the concurrency. They head northeast into the main part of the city. At Walnut Street, US 41 Business/SR 22/SR 49 head northwest, while US 80/US 129/SR 11 continue to the northeast. At 2nd Street, SR 22 splits off to the northeast, while US 41 Business/SR 49 continue to the northwest and intersect SR 19. Here, US 41 Business travels to the southwest and west concurrent with SR 19, while SR 19/SR 49 head northeast. Two blocks later, they intersect US 23/US 129/SR 11/SR 87. At this intersection, US 23/US 129/SR 11/SR 19/SR 49 head northeast and cross over the Ocmulgee River. On the northern side of the river is an interchange with I-16/SR 540. Immediately afterward, US 23/SR 19 split off to the east onto Emery Highway, while US 129/SR 11/SR 49 continue to the northeast. Approximately later, SR 22 rejoins the concurrency. The four highways continue northeast until SR 49 departs to the east on Shurling Drive. It cuts across a corner of Jones County before re-entering Bibb County. The highway passes Bowden Golf Course and enters Jones County again. It passes through rural areas of the county and intersects SR 18 in Greenberry Crossroads. The highway continues to the northeast and enters Baldwin County. It runs along the Milledgeville–Hardwick line, where it intersects US 441/SR 29. Then, the highway curves to the northwest, crossing over Fishing Creek into Milledgeville city proper. SR 49 passes Central City Park and then intersects US 441 Business/SR 29 Bus. on the southwestern corner of Georgia College & State University. A few blocks farther to the east-northeast, it meets its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 22/SR 24. This intersection also marks the former northern terminus of SR 112, which used South Elbert Street.The following portions of SR 49 are part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense:
- The entire length of the US 280/SR 27 concurrency in the Americus area
- From the eastern terminus of SR 49 Conn. at the southwestern city limits of Fort Valley, to I-75 in Byron
- From the southern end of the US 129/SR 247 concurrency south of Rutland to the intersection with US 41 Bus./SR 247 in the southern part of Macon
- From the northern end of the US 80 and SR 11 concurrencies in the northeastern part of Macon to its northern terminus
History
Future
SR 49, between its intersection with SR 49 Conn. northeast of Fort Valley and I-75 in Byron is part of the Fall Line Freeway, an expressway that connects Columbus and Augusta. This highway is planned to be a four-lane divided highway. There are also plans to eventually upgrade the freeway into the proposed eastern extension of I-14.Major intersections
Special routes
Fort Valley bypass route
State Route 49 Bypass is a proposed bypass route that is planned to exist completely within the southwestern part of Peach County, in the central part of the U.S. state of GeorgiaThe road is planned to connect SR 49 Connector, at an intersection with the SR 49 mainline northeast of Fort Valley to an intersection with SR 96, east of the town. There is a possibility that it and SR 49 Connector will be included as part of a bypass on all four sides of the town.
Fort Valley connector route
State Route 49 Connector is a connector route that exists completely within the southwestern part of Peach County, in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The road functions more like a bypass route around the northwest parts of Fort Valley. It connects SR 96/SR 540 west of the city with the SR 49 mainline and SR 540 northeast of the town. The entire length of this highway, like the mainline, is also concurrent with SR 540 and part of the Fall Line Freeway.SR 49 Connector begins at an intersection with SR 96/SR 540, west of Fort Valley. It and SR 540 head northeast to an intersection with US 341/SR 7, northwest of the city. The highways curve to a due-east routing and curve to the southeast just before they meet SR 49 Conn.'s eastern terminus, an intersection with the SR 49 mainline, northeast of the city. Here, SR 540 begins a concurrency with SR 49.
All of SR 49 Connector, from US 341/SR 7/SR 42 to the SR 49 mainline and SR 540, is included as part of the National Highway System, a system of roadways important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.