Highway systems management : frequently asked questions

What types of road construction projects require State Highway System revisions during the project s preconstruction phase Local Road Construction Project - A State Highway System revision is required for a construction project on an existing county road or city street that includes the purchasing of additional right-of-way property by GDOT. State Route New Location or Relocation Construction Project - A State Highway System revision is required for a construction project that includes a new State Route location or and existing State Route relocation.
When should the GDOT Office of Transportation Data be contacted Contact the GDOT Office of Transportation Data when The GDOT Field District Office knows the
proposed date that a new section of roadway will be open to traffic for State Route service. The roadway construction project is approaching the right-of-way acquisition phase. A local government official has any questions concerns or issues. You have any questions concerns or issues.
Last Updated 10/22/2014

What are the road classifications
Local Roads - A local road is typically a residential county road or city street. It provides higher accessibility and lower mobility. Collectors- A collector feeds the traffic from the local county roads and city streets to the arterial system. Arterials- An arterial is a major highway that is primarily for through traffic and is usually on a continuous route. It provides higher mobility and lower accessibility.
Definition of Terms Public Road - A public road is any road under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a local authority and open to public travel. Open to Traffic - Open to traffic means that the roadway is open to the general public for use without restrictive gates prohibitive signs or regulation other than restrictions based on size weight or class of registration. Maintenance - Maintenance is the preservation of the entire highway within the right-of-way including surfaces shoulders roadsides structures and traffic control devices as are necessary for its safe and efficient utilization.

Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Transportation Data 600 West Peachtree Street N.W. 19th Floor Office 1934 Atlanta Georgia 30308
404-347-0701 FAX 404-631-1136
e-mail OTDCustomerService dot.ga.gov www.dot.ga.gov

Who are the coordinators of Georgia s State Highway Systems
The GDOT Office of Transportation Data acts as the liaison between the local government officials and the GDOT Commissioner in establishing and updating the four major highway systems
Georgia s State Highway System
Georgia s U.S. Route/Highway Numbering System
Georgia s Highway Functional Classification System
The portion of the National Highway System in Georgia
What are the general guidelines for determining road classifications
The key Georgia State Codes covering GDOT s administration of the System Highway System include
OCGA 32-4-20 - Composition of the System Highway System
OCGA 32-4-21 - Designation of Roads as part of the State Highway System
OCGA 32-7-2 - Procedure for Abandonment
OCGA 32-5-2 - Appropriation of Funds to Department

What roads are eligible for capital improvement funds under the Federal-Aid Surface Transportation Program
Rural Areas - Roads classified as a rural major collector or higher are eligible for capital improvement funds.
Urban or Urbanized Areas - Roads classified as an minor collector or higher are eligible for capital improvement funds.
What is the process for removing a road from Georgia s State Highway Systems
If an existing roadway is not going to be obliterated during construction and will remain open-to-traffic as a public roadway the roadway must be accepted by the local county or city official as part of their public roadway network.
Local State Route Acceptance Resolution The principal county or city official must execute a State Highway System Revision by which they agree to adopt the roadway for maintenance as well as ownership of the roadway s Right-of-Way.
Order of the Commissioner - The GDOT Commissioner executes an Order of the Commissioner officially removing the roadway from Georgia s State Highway Systems.

What is the next course of action if a local government disagrees with a proposed State Highway System revision
If a local government disagrees with the proposed State Highway System revision the principal local government official must respond in writing to the GDOT Commissioner as soon as possible explaining why they do not agree with the proposed State Highway System revision.
A copy of the correspondence must be sent to the appropriate GDOT Field District Engineer and to the GDOT Office of Transportation Data Administrator.
Under the GDOT Commissioner s directive the GDOT Office of Transportation Data reviews the correspondence from the local government official researches alternatives to the proposed State Highway System revision and provides a recommendation to the GDOT Commissioner.
What is the responsibility of GDOT in regard to administrative/temporary State Routes
When a local roadway has been designated as an administrative/temporary State Route the appropriate county or city government is typically responsible for providing the routine maintenance for the roadway.
When a projected State Route has been designated as an administrative/temporary State Route GDOT is responsible for providing the maintenance for the roadway.