Georgia State Route 81
State Route 81 (SR 81) is a 69.0-mile-long (111.0 km) diagonal state highway that travels southwest-to-northeast in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. Its path exists within portions of Henry, Newton, Walton, and Barrow counties. It connects the McDonough area with Winder, via Covington and Loganville.
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| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by GDOT | ||||
| Length | 68.5 mi[1] (110.2 km) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| West end |    | |||
| North end |     | |||
| Location | ||||
| Counties | Henry, Newton, Walton, Barrow | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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Route description
Western terminus to Oxford
SR 81 begins at an intersection with US 19/US 41/SR 3 (Bear Creek Boulevard), just north of Hampton, in Henry County. It heads east to McDonough. There, it intersects SR 20 (Hampton Road). They run concurrent to the northeast, into the main part of town. Immediately, they have an interchange with Interstate 75 (I-75) at exit 218. The exit will be rebuilt into a diverging diamond interchange in 2020.[2] Continuing east, the two highways intersect US 23/SR 42 in the downtown McDonough Square.
From the downtown square to an intersection with SR 155 (Zack Hinton Parkway) the highways form an east-west one-way pair. At this intersection, SR 20 splits off to the north. SR 81 then heads to the southeast before curving to the northeast and crosses over the South River, into Newton County. The bridge over the South River will be replaced by Georgia DOT in 2020.[3]
In Henry County, SR 81 is signed as a west–east route; signage changes to south–north at or near the Newton County line. The highway has an intersection with SR 212. Then, it heads north before curving to the northeast again. It meets SR 162 just before it enters Porterdale. The intersection with SR 162 is under construction to install a new roundabout; completion is expected in May 2020.[4] In town is an intersection with the northern terminus of SR 162 Connector. SR 81 crosses over the Yellow River and passes through the main part of town. Immediately after leaving Porterdale, it enters Covington, where it turn north and intersects US 278/SR 12, before passing under, but not interchanging I-20. Then, it passes through Oxford.[1]
Oxford to Winder
On the northern end of Oxford, the road curves to the north-northeast and meet the northern terminus of SR 142, before turning to the north and entering Walton County. Northward is Walnut Grove, where it intersects SR 138. The route heads north-northwest to Loganville. In town is a brief concurrency with US 78/SR 10 (Atlanta Highway) and splits off to the northwest. In the main part of town is a very brief concurrency with SR 20. Then, it heads northeast, passing through rural areas of the county, before it crosses the Apalachee River into Barrow County.
Southwest of Winder is an intersection with US 29/SR 316. As of fall 2019, the intersection is under construction to be converted into a grade-separated interchange. Construction is estimated to be completed in October 2020.[5] Just before entering Winder, the highway passes Fort Yargo State Park on its western end. In Winder, it reaches its northern terminus, an intersection with US 29 Business/SR 8/SR 11/SR 53.[1]
National Highway System
The following portions of SR 81 are part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense:
Major intersections
| County | Location | mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry | | 0.0 | 0.0 | | Southern terminus |
| McDonough | 8.4 | 13.5 |  | Southern end of SR 20 concurrency | |
| 8.6 | 13.8 |  | I-75 exit 218 | ||
| 11.3 | 18.2 |   | Southbound lanes of US 23/SR 42 on one-way pairs | ||
| 11.3 | 18.2 | | Northbound lanes of US 23/SR 42 on one-way pairs | ||
| 11.8 | 19.0 |  | Northern end of SR 20 concurrency | ||
| Newton | | 24.5 | 39.4 |  | |
| | 30.4 | 48.9 |  | ||
| Porterdale | 31.6 | 50.9 |  | Northern terminus of SR 162 Conn. | |
| Covington | 35.5 | 57.1 |   | ||
| | 40.2 | 64.7 |  | Northern terminus of SR 142 | |
| Walton | Walnut Grove | 45.4 | 73.1 |  | |
| Loganville | 52.1 | 83.8 |   | Southern end of US 78/SR 10 concurrency | |
| 52.5 | 84.5 | | Northern end of US 78/SR 10 concurrency | ||
| 53.2 | 85.6 | | Southern end of SR 20 concurrency | ||
| 53.4 | 85.9 | | Northern end of SR 20 concurrency | ||
| Barrow | | 64.7 | 104.1 |   | Currently an intersection, future interchange, expected to open on October 31, 2020.[7] |
| Winder | 68.5 | 110.2 | | Northern terminus | |
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
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See also
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References
- Google (July 25, 2013). "Overview map of SR 81" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- Ashley, Asia (2018-03-25). "Public views plans for McDonough diverging diamond interchange, detour routes". Henry Herald. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
- "GeoPI Project Information". www.dot.ga.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
- "Roundabout coming to Hwy. 81 at Salem Road". The Covington News. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
- Swanepoel, Sharon (2019-10-20). "Bridge beams to be set on SR 316/81 overnight Tuesday, Oct. 22". Your Local News. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
- National Highway System: Atlanta, GA (PDF) (Map). Federal Highway Administration. May 9, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- "Contract awarded for Ga. 316/Ga. 81 project". Barrow News Journal. August 30, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
External links
- Georgia Roads (Routes 81 - 100)