New Pinhoti Trail Reroute Opens Near Mack White Gap

A new 2.6-mile reroute is now blazed and open on Section 21 of the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail northeast of Mack White Gap at U.S. Highway 27.

The reroute moves hikers off Forest Service Road 254 for about the same distance, creating a more scenic and enjoyable section of trail. Old blazes along FS 254 have been removed or painted over, and the new route is marked for hikers traveling both northbound and southbound.

GPS data has been submitted for the FarOut app and is expected to be updated in the Pinhoti database soon.

Project organizers say the reroute is an incremental improvement on the 370-mile wilderness trail, but represents a significant aesthetic upgrade for hikers.

The project was made possible through support from the Tillotson-Menlo Foundation, The Conservation Fund, the U.S. Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Conasauga Ranger District, and several trail and environmental partners.

Summerville Bypass Moves Closer to Reality as Demolition Begins

After decades of discussion, the Summerville bypass is taking a visible step forward as demolition begins and early work gets underway.

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Pilgrim’s Pride Plant in Walker County Set to Break Ground This Fall in $400 Million Project

Construction on Pilgrim’s Pride’s new prepared foods plant in Walker County is expected to begin this fall, a major step forward in a $400 million development local and state leaders say could reshape the area’s economy and bring hundreds of jobs to Northwest Georgia.

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Traffic Advisory: Lane Reduction Scheduled on Rome Boulevard at Railroad Tracks in Summerville

Motorists traveling through Summerville should prepare for delays beginning Tuesday morning as road work impacts a major route inside the city limits. Officials say traffic on Rome Boulevard/Highway 27 at the railroad tracks will be reduced to one lane starting February 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

An estimated time for full reopening has not been announced. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes, expect delays, and use caution while traveling through the work zone.

The advisory was issued by Pamela M. Vaughn, Director of the Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency, Mapping and Addressing, Deputy Director of Chattooga County E-911, and Chattooga County Safety Coordinator.