Stephens County — Georgia Transportation Board members are back on the highway after spending two days in Toccoa and Stephens County.

The board conducted a series of meetings Wednesday and Thursday in Toccoa at Caudell’s Travelers’ Rest.

During Thursday’s meeting, State Rep. Jeannette Jamieson, D-Toccoa, spoke to the board about the transportation needs of Stephens County. Jamieson put the widening of Ga. 17 between the Toccoa Bypass and Interstate 85 in Franklin County at the top of the list of needs.

She said the board needs to know that road project is critical to the economy of the region.

“You can talk all day long, but until you can get the board up here to witness firsthand what you are talking about, there is no way in the world to sell them the project without their seeing it,” Jamieson said.

While there, the board also toured the region and looked at current work on the Toccoa Bypass. While viewing that work, the board approved money to build an intersection to provide future road access to the renovated Stephens County High School’s new front entrance.

Jamieson said that is a positive move.

The coming road also will serve Big A Elementary School and Stephens County Middle School at a location near Memorial Drive, which intersects with the bypass in that area.

On the transportation board’s part, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Gena Abraham said the visit provided the group good opportunities: “One, to be out of Atlanta, which is great, and also to see the real commitment the community has made to transportation and the growth in the community,” Abraham said. “Without putting your feet on the ground, you do not get to see all the things that are working.”