Sixteen counties in Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County,  will soon see even more safety measures on roadways.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has received more than $4 million to install Rumble strips throughout these counties. Rumble strips, already popular along major highways, are indentations on roads meant to alert drivers. This safety measure, meant to alert distracted, drowsy, or intoxicated drivers when they have left their lane works by making a loud noise and vibrating the car. By warning motorists, with the noise made as the Rumble Strips are hit, the number of head-on and sideswipe crashes, along with accidents where the vehicle has driven off the shoulder have decreased in areas where they are already installed.

“We see a decrease in wrecks after rumble strips have been installed,” said GDOT District Six Engineer Grant Waldrop. “Rumble strips are a great way to keep drivers in their lanes.”

Installation will begin in the coming weeks and the project is expected to be completed in late 2021. “We have a lot of projects kicking off as the new year approaches,” Waldrop said. “In addition to these, many of our biggest projects will be finishing up later this year.”

If you have questions about roadwork in your area, please call 511, visit 511ga.org, or download the Georgia 511 app.