By Jane Mo

The newest proposed route for the bypass will cut through eastern Bishop farmlands.

The map below was the most recent construction plans.

*This map is no longer the Bishop bypass plan*

The Georgia Department of Transportation is starting over on this project after several disputes.

Walter Lee is a farmer who owns a Christmas tree farm in Bishop.

“We do think there’s a need for the widening of 441, but we would like to see it affect agricultural land and quality of life as least as possible. I think the right away in the last plan was maybe 50 feet from our house. That’s not a good situation. We would not be happy with that,” Walter Lee said.

Dean Johnson has been an Oconee resident for 25 years and goes to church with Walter.

“I hate it for him, but we have to do what’s best for the community. There will always be pros and cons,” Dean Johnson said.