GDOT seeks feedback for proposed U-turn at deadly Wilkinson County intersection

The Georgia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback for a proposed U-turn at an accident-prone intersection between state Routes 18 and 540 near Gordon.

According to GDOT officials, the plan is to install a stop-controlled Reduced Conflict U-turn at the intersection between Gray Highway and the Fall Line Freeway to “reduce crashes and improve traffic operations.”

The U.S. DOT’s Federal Highway Administration defines Reduced Conflict U-turns as U-turns constructed specifically to “alter how left-turn movements occur.” They do this by forcing minor road traffic to turn right at a designated intersection to prevent drivers from crossing a major road. From there, drivers make a U-turn.

The location was the site of 61 crashes in between 2013 and 2026, two of which were fatal. 

In June 2017, Clayton Cowart, a 32-year-old maintenance tech worker from McIntyre, was killed when the driver of a Toyota Corolla failed to yield to him while turning onto SR 540, then SR 243. 

The driver of the Corolla crashed into Cowart’s Honda Accord, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and cross over the centerline, where he was struck by oncoming traffic.

GDOT officials say the project would reduce the quantity and severity of car wrecks in the area by preventing movement across the mainline.

According to GDOT, the number of vehicles traveling along the Fall Line Freeway and Gray Highway is expected to increase by over 33% in the next 23 years.

In 2025, they recorded an average of 3,100 vehicles driving along SR 540 per day and 1,425 vehicles traveling 18.

GDOT predicts that by 2049, 4,150 vehicles will drive 540 per day and 1,900 vehicles will travel 18.

According to project plans, the number of crashes is expected to increase with the number of vehicles traveling the routes per day.

Currently, drivers traveling on both routes can turn left, turn right or continue straight at the intersection. Drivers on SR 540 have the right of way, while drivers on SR 18 have a stop sign and must yield to traffic on 540.

Drivers on 18 intending to keep straight along the route or turn left have a second stop sign in the middle of the intersection, between the north and south-bound lanes on 540.

If the project moves forward, drivers traveling 540 will still be able to turn left or right onto 18 or continue straight on 540, but motorists on 18 will only be allowed to turn right. They will no longer be able to continue straight or turn left. 

Instead, drivers would turn right at the intersection onto 540, enter the left turning lane and make a U-turn. From there, drivers can continue straight or turn right to continue on Gray Highway.

Plans for the project indicate that a raised median anywhere from 4 to 14 feet wide would be installed within the existing two-way left turn lane and that U-turns would be provided at both ends of the raised median.

GDOT announced that they were seeking public feedback in a post on Facebook on August 31.

In the comments, many residents voiced their opposition to the project, suggesting that a roundabout, traffic light or overpass would be a better solution.

One resident wrote that the problem was human error, caused by drivers not paying attention on the road. 

But not all residents disagree with the project. One resident wrote in GDOT’s comments, saying, “Any way to reduce left hand turns into oncoming traffic is a good idea.”

GDOT created an official survey for residents to fill out on their webpage. The survey can be found by following the link from their Aug. 31 post to the GDOT site and clicking “Leave your feedback.”

The survey is made up of six questions, including a multiple choice question asking participants if they support, oppose, are uncommitted to an opinion or have conditional support for the project. It also asks residents to explain their position.

According to the survey, contact information is optional and can be submitted anonymously.

Comments are open until Sept. 21.