The Comer bypass in Madison County is open…after more than a 40 year wait.

“I was seven years old when this started, but to have come this far and be the mayor now, and then to have my parents here, that’s just really special,” said Comer Mayor Jody Blackmon.

After 40 years of planning, and a 55 million dollar investment from the state, the Comer Bypass is finally open, and improved safety is a main concern.

“Even safety was an issue on this corridor. If it’s a two or three minute decrease in getting somewhere, it can mean the difference in saving a life for an EMS or an ambulance,” said Katie Strickland, the Public Information Officer for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

This bypass could also mean safer routes for school buses.

“It’s a scary situation, and I don’t care what the cost is if we can prevent one death, and when it’s children, school buses, that sort of thing, nobody want to live through that, so if we can say we did everything to plan ahead and prevent that, that’s what we’ve done,” said Mayor Blackmon.

The bypass is also expected to get rid of that heavy truck traffic that makes the people of Madison County late for work.

“Jobs, jobs, jobs,” Georgia State Senator Frank Ginn emphasized.

This is maybe not what most think of when talking about bypasses, but that’s exactly what Senator Frank Ginn and those who worked on the new Comer Bypass say will be the benefit from this project.

“This is where we start looking at businesses prospering, people have better commutes back and forth to work,” said Senator Frank Ginn.

If concerned about the bypass’s potential affect on local business, Blackmon says not to worry.

“We have four intersections that will take you right into town,” said Mayor Blackmon.

Mayor Blackmon also wants to remind everyone driving on the bypass, that, yes, the road is new and smooth, but don’t speed. Highway patrol is already monitoring traffic on the highway.

By: Grason Passmore