Interstate 3
Encyclopedia
Interstate 3 the Third Infantry Division Highway, is a proposed Interstate Highway in the United States to run from Savannah, Georgia
, north to Augusta, Georgia
, and Knoxville, Tennessee
. The roadway was proposed in the same federal highway measure that gave birth to a proposal for Interstate 14
.
(SAFETEA-LU) was signed into law by President George W. Bush
. The act included the proposed corridors for the planned I-14 (specifically as the 14th Amendment Highway), and I-3 (as the 3rd Infantry Division Highway). The legislation did not provide the official numbering, nor did it provide funding for the highways.
The proposed numbering of the highway does not fit within the existing Interstate Highway grid, but was noted to salute and honor the Third Infantry Division of the United States Army, based at Fort Stewart
, Georgia.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation
, the Savannah River Parkway, which carries the designations State Route 555 and State Route 565, is mostly open to traffic or under construction.
The Savannah River Parkway begins just northwest of Savannah at the intersection of Interstate 95
and State Route 21. It goes northwesterly along Georgia 21, paralleling the Savannah River
, to Millen
, where it meets U.S. 25
. From Millen, the roadway follows U.S. 25 to Interstate 520
in Augusta. A western branch of the Savannah River Parkway runs from Interstate 16
south of Statesboro
north and northwestward (following U.S. 25) to meet the main parkway roadway in Millen.
The proposal faces local opposition from groups concerned about the environmental impact of the Interstate Highway. No date for construction of the highway has been set. In July 2010, the federal government began a study of the proposed route.
from Savannah to Augusta.
Due to the difficulties of building a new highway through the Appalachian mountains, the route north of Augusta is less clear. In early 2008, officials introduced the possibility of routing I-3 through Greenwood, South Carolina
and continuing on to Greenville
. Other potential routes continue in Georgia along U.S. 441, U.S. 129 (along the Dragon
, an eleven-mile stretch of road with 318 curves), or Georgia State Route 77
.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, north to Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, and Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
. The roadway was proposed in the same federal highway measure that gave birth to a proposal for Interstate 14
Interstate 14
Interstate 14 is a proposed interstate set to run from Natchez, Mississippi or Alexandria, Louisiana to Augusta, Georgia or North Augusta, South Carolina named for the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution...
.
History
In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for UsersSafe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users is a funding and authorization bill that governs United States federal surface transportation spending. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 10, 2005, and expired as of September 30, 2009...
(SAFETEA-LU) was signed into law by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. The act included the proposed corridors for the planned I-14 (specifically as the 14th Amendment Highway), and I-3 (as the 3rd Infantry Division Highway). The legislation did not provide the official numbering, nor did it provide funding for the highways.
The proposed numbering of the highway does not fit within the existing Interstate Highway grid, but was noted to salute and honor the Third Infantry Division of the United States Army, based at Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post primarily in Liberty County and Bryan County, but also extending into smaller portions of Evans, Long, and Tattnall Counties in Georgia, USA. The population was 11,205 at the 2000 census...
, Georgia.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation
Georgia Department of Transportation
The Georgia Department of Transportation is the organization in charge of developing and maintaining all state and federal roadways in the U.S. state of Georgia. In addition to highways, the department also has a limited role in developing public transportation and general aviation programs...
, the Savannah River Parkway, which carries the designations State Route 555 and State Route 565, is mostly open to traffic or under construction.
The Savannah River Parkway begins just northwest of Savannah at the intersection of Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Georgia
Interstate 95, the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States, serves the Atlantic coast of Georgia. It begins at the St. Marys River at the Florida state line north of Jacksonville and heads north past the border of South Carolina at the Savannah River...
and State Route 21. It goes northwesterly along Georgia 21, paralleling the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
, to Millen
Millen, Georgia
Millen is a city in Jenkins County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,492 at the 2000 census, a decline of 8.3% since 1990, during a decade in which the state's population grew by 26.4%.The city, centered near the intersection of U.S...
, where it meets U.S. 25
U.S. Route 25
U.S. Route 25 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from Brunswick, Georgia to the Ohio state line in Covington, Kentucky.-Georgia:...
. From Millen, the roadway follows U.S. 25 to Interstate 520
Interstate 520
Interstate 520 is a auxiliary Interstate Highway that encircles Augusta, Georgia and North Augusta, South Carolina as a three quarter beltway around the western, southern and eastern parts of the Augusta area. It begins at Interstate 20 in the northwest part of Augusta, and ends at Interstate 20...
in Augusta. A western branch of the Savannah River Parkway runs from Interstate 16
Interstate 16
Interstate 16 , also known as Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway or State Route 404 , is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Georgia, United States...
south of Statesboro
Statesboro, Georgia
Statesboro is a city in southeast Georgia, United States, and is the county seat and most populous city of Bulloch County. Statesboro has a population of 28,422 and the Statesboro, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 70,217...
north and northwestward (following U.S. 25) to meet the main parkway roadway in Millen.
The proposal faces local opposition from groups concerned about the environmental impact of the Interstate Highway. No date for construction of the highway has been set. In July 2010, the federal government began a study of the proposed route.
Route description
The actual final route of I-3 is unknown. But the 2005 SAFETEA-LU legislation indicated that in Georgia, I-3 would follow the existing Savannah River ParkwaySavannah River Parkway
The Savannah River Parkway, also known as State Route 555 and State Route 565, are two roadways that parallel the Savannah River from Savannah to Augusta. The parkway proceeds southward from Augusta to Millen, where it diverges. The west branch follows U.S. Route 25 to Statesboro, and then...
from Savannah to Augusta.
Due to the difficulties of building a new highway through the Appalachian mountains, the route north of Augusta is less clear. In early 2008, officials introduced the possibility of routing I-3 through Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood is a city in and the county seat of Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 22,071 at the 2000 census and had slightly increased to 22,710 according to a 2009 estimate.-Geography:...
and continuing on to Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. Other potential routes continue in Georgia along U.S. 441, U.S. 129 (along the Dragon
Deals Gap, North Carolina
Deals Gap is a portion of U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee, which also lends its name to a small unincorporated community and motorcycle resort situated in a gap in Swain County, North Carolina, United States. It is located along U.S. 129 at the Tennessee state line. The community has an...
, an eleven-mile stretch of road with 318 curves), or Georgia State Route 77
Georgia State Route 77
State Route 77 is a Georgia state controlled highway that runs primarily in eastern Georgia. The highway connects the cities of Elberton and Hartwell with Interstate 85 and Interstate 20....
.