Demolition Begins on Hankins Drive, Hinton Street for Summerville Bypass Project

Demolition Begins on Hankins Drive, Hinton Street for Summerville Bypass Project

Demolition has officially begun on homes along Hankins Drive and Hinton Street as part of early work for the long-planned Summerville bypass project.

Watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Gw8DPG7NM/

Crews have started clearing properties in preparation for construction, marking a visible step forward in a project that has been in development for decades.

The impact of the bypass is also being felt by local businesses. The Crushed Tomato has already closed its doors, while The Willow Tree remains open for now but is expected to close as its property is slated for demolition during construction.

Why the project is moving forward

The bypass is designed to improve both safety and traffic flow along the heavily traveled SR 1/US 27 corridor through downtown Summerville.

Currently, the roughly 0.8-mile stretch between Edmondson Drive and SR 48 operates at a Level of Service (LOS) E, meaning traffic is often congested and moving at a slow pace. The corridor also sees crash rates higher than the state average according to GDOT.

Without the bypass, those conditions are expected to continue or worsen.

Current conditions along the SR 1/US 27 corridor:
The two-lane, 0.8-mile section of SR 1/US 27 in downtown Summerville between Edmondson Drive and SR 48 has significant traffic volumes and intersects with 11 local streets, two state highway corridors (SR 48 and SR 100/114), and one railroad crossing.
Traffic operates at a Level of Service (LOS) E along this corridor, meaning traffic volumes are at capacity and the corridor typically operates at a very slow pace due to congestion.
Crash rates along SR 1/US 27 in downtown Summerville exceed Georgia’s average for the type of road.

Project benefits

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the bypass will:

• Reduce traffic through downtown, especially for drivers traveling between SR 27 and SR 48
• Improve safety by lowering crash rates along the corridor
• Add roundabouts at SR 1/US 27, SR 114, and SR 100 to reduce conflict points and delays
• Include sidewalks and additional pedestrian safety features

Roundabouts were selected for key intersections because studies show they significantly reduce severe crashes and improve traffic flow compared to traditional signalized intersections.

Project details and cost

The bypass will run along the southwest side of Summerville, beginning west of the existing Chattooga River crossing and connecting back to SR 48 near Hunt Street. Plans include a bridge over Town Branch and one lane in each direction.

The total estimated cost of the project is approximately $45.1 million, including:

• Preliminary Engineering: $4.8 million
• Right of Way: $8.1 million
• Construction: $26.2 million
• Utilities: $5.9 million

Construction is currently scheduled in the work program for 2027, though early phases such as property acquisition and demolition are now underway.

A project years in the making

The Summerville bypass has been under consideration since the early 1990s, with multiple phases of planning and funding occurring over the years.

As demolition progresses, the changes are becoming more visible to the community — signaling that long-discussed plans are now moving closer to reality.

Project Documents

Georgia DOT’s Official Response to PIOH Comments

Project Introductory Presentation

Preconstruction Status Report

Project Layout

Givens Street Detour Plan

Old Mill Road Detour Plan

Union Street Detour Plan

Printable Comment Form

Level of Service (LOS) Information

What Happens if Your Property is Needed for a Transportation Facility

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Information

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Information

Georgia DOT MS4/Stormwater Management Program Information