View source for Fall Line Freeway

{{short description|Highway in Georgia}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox road
|state=GA
|type=GA
|route=540
|alternate_name=Fall Line Freeway
|marker_image = 
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-lat=32.9658|frame-long=-83.5278|zoom=7|type=line|from=Fall Line Freeway.map|stroke-width=3}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=Fall Line Freeway highlighted in red
|maint= [[Georgia Department of Transportation|GDOT]]
| length_mi = 215
| length_ref = <ref name="factsheet 2018">{{cite press release |title=Fall Line Freeway |date=July 2018 |publisher=[[Georgia Department of Transportation]] |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/documents/GRIP/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf |access-date=December 11, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175456/http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/documents/GRIP/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf }}</ref>
| established = September 24, 2018<ref name="GDOT Facebook"/>
|history={{Plainlist|
*Constituent highways constructed in stages since at least 1919<ref name="GDOT 1920"/>
*Completed between August 2017 and July 2018<ref name="factsheet 2018"/><ref name="factsheet 2019"/>
*Signed as SR&nbsp;540 on September 24, 2018<ref name="GDOT Facebook"/>
}}
| allocation ={{Plainlist|
*{{jct|state=GA|US|80}} from the [[Alabama]] state line to [[Geneva, Georgia|Geneva]] and from [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]] to [[East Macon, Georgia|East Macon]]
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|22}} from the Alabama state line to Geneva
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|41}} in Geneva
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|96}} from Geneva to west of [[Fort Valley, Georgia|Fort Valley]]
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|90}} from west of [[Junction City, Georgia|Junction City]] to Junction City
*{{jct|state=GA|SR-Conn|49|dab1=Fort Valley}} from west of Fort Valley to Fort Valley
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|49}} from Fort Valley to [[Byron, Georgia|Byron]]
*{{jct|state=GA|I|75}} from Byron to Macon
*{{jct|state=GA|I|16}} in Macon
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|87}} from Macon to East Macon
*{{jct|state=GA|US|23|US-Alt|129|dab2=Hawkinsville–Macon}} from Macon to East Macon
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|19}} from Macon to East Macon
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|57}} from East Macon to southwest of [[Gordon, Georgia|Gordon]]
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|24}} from southeast of [[Milledgeville, Georgia|Milledgeville]] to east of [[Sandersville, Georgia|Sandersville]]
*{{jct|state=GA|SR|88}} from east of Sandersville to [[Wrens, Georgia|Wrens]]
*{{jct|state=GA|US|1|SR|4}} from Wrens to [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]]
*{{jct|state=GA|US|221|SR|17}} in Wrens
}}
|direction_a=West
|terminus_a={{jct|state=AL|US|80|SR|8|GA|22}} at the [[Alabama]] state line at the [[Phenix City, Alabama]]–[[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]] line
|junction={{Plainlist|
*{{jct|state=GA|I|185|US|27|SR|1}} in Columbus
*{{jct|state=GA|US|80|SR|22|SR|96}} in [[Geneva, Georgia|Geneva]]
*{{jct|state=GA|US|19|SR|3}} in [[Butler, Georgia|Butler]]
*{{jct|state=GA|I|75|SR|49}} in [[Byron, Georgia|Byron]]
*{{jct|state=GA|I|16|I|75}} in [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]]
*{{jct|state=GA|I|16|US|80|SR|87}} in Macon
*{{jct|state=GA|US|80|SR|19|SR|57}} in [[East Macon, Georgia|East Macon]]
*{{jct|state=GA|US|441|SR|29}} near [[Scottsboro, Georgia|Scottsboro]]
*{{jct|state=GA|US|1|US|221|SR|4|SR|17}} in [[Wrens, Georgia|Wrens]]
}}
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{jct|state=GA|I|520|US|1|SR|4}} in [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]]
|counties=[[Muscogee County, Georgia|Muscogee]], [[Talbot County, Georgia|Talbot]], [[Taylor County, Georgia|Taylor]], [[Crawford County, Georgia|Crawford]], [[Peach County, Georgia|Peach]], [[Bibb County, Georgia|Bibb]], [[Jones County, Georgia|Jones]], [[Twiggs County, Georgia|Twiggs]], [[Wilkinson County, Georgia|Wilkinson]], [[Baldwin County, Georgia|Baldwin]], [[Washington County, Georgia|Washington]], [[Jefferson County, Georgia|Jefferson]], [[Richmond County, Georgia|Richmond]]
|previous_type=SR
|previous_route=520
|next_type=SR
|next_route=555
}}

The '''Fall Line Freeway''' ('''FLF'''), also signed as '''State Route&nbsp;540''' ('''SR&nbsp;540'''), is a {{convert|215|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} highway designed to span the width of the U.S. state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] from  [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]] at the [[Alabama]] state line to [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]], travelling through several cities including [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]], [[Fort Valley, Georgia|Fort Valley]], [[Sandersville, Georgia|Sandersville]], and [[Wrens, Georgia|Wrens]]. Though it is called a freeway, it is composed of both [[Limited-access road|limited-access]] and high-speed [[Dual carriageway|divided highway]] portions. There are also two segments of the highway that are [[Single carriageway|two lanes]], separated by a [[center turn lane]]: a brief portion in west-central [[Washington County, Georgia|Washington County]] (west of Sandersville) and another brief portion in northern [[Jefferson County, Georgia|Jefferson County]] (completely within the [[city limits]] of Wrens). As of August 2018, the Fall Line Freeway is 100% open to traffic.<ref name="factsheet 2018"/> Between August 2017 and July 2018, the highway was completed. The [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] (GDOT) announced that the highway was officially signed as SR&nbsp;540 on September 24, 2018, as the newest state route in the state.

Most of the FLF was a piecing together of segments of pre-existing highways, upon which SR&nbsp;540 was designated in September 2018. It consists of [[U.S. Route 80 in Georgia|U.S. Route&nbsp;80]] (US&nbsp;80) from the [[Alabama]] state line to [[Geneva, Georgia|Geneva]] and from Macon to [[East Macon, Georgia|East Macon]]; [[Georgia State Route 22|SR&nbsp;22]] from Alabama to Geneva; [[Georgia State Route 41|SR&nbsp;41]] in Geneva; [[Georgia State Route 96|SR&nbsp;96]] from Geneva to the west of Fort Valley; [[Georgia State Route 90|SR&nbsp;90]] from west of [[Junction City, Georgia|Junction City]] to Junction City; [[Georgia State Route 49 Connector (Fort Valley)|SR&nbsp;49 Connector]] (SR&nbsp;49 Conn.) from west of Fort Valley to Fort Valley; [[Georgia State Route 49|SR&nbsp;49]] from Fort Valley to [[Byron, Georgia|Byron]]; [[Interstate 75 in Georgia|Interstate&nbsp;75]] (I-75) from Byron to Macon; [[Interstate 16|I-16]] in Macon; [[Georgia State Route 87|SR&nbsp;87]] from Macon to East Macon; [[U.S. Route 23 in Georgia|US&nbsp;23]]/[[U.S. Route 129 Alternate (Hawkinsville–Macon, Georgia)|US&nbsp;129 Alternate]] (US&nbsp;129 Alt.) from Macon to East Macon; [[Georgia State Route 19|SR&nbsp;19]] from Macon to East Macon; [[Georgia State Route 57|SR&nbsp;57]] from East Macon to southwest of [[Gordon, Georgia|Gordon]]; [[Georgia State Route 24|SR&nbsp;24]] from southeast of [[Milledgeville, Georgia|Milledgeville]] to east of Sandersville; [[Georgia State Route 88|SR&nbsp;88]] from east of Sandersville to Wrens; [[U.S. Route 1 in Georgia|US&nbsp;1]]/[[Georgia State Route 4|SR&nbsp;4]] from Wrens to Augusta; [[U.S. Route 221 in Georgia|US&nbsp;221]] in Wrens; and [[Georgia State Route 17|SR&nbsp;17]] in Wrens.

From 2018 to 2019, the highway formerly used the southern portion of [[Georgia State Route 243|SR&nbsp;243]], from southwest of Gordon to north-northeast of [[Ivey, Georgia|Ivey]], until that highway was [[Decommissioned highway|decommissioned]]. The portion of the highway from north-northeast of Ivey to southeast of Milledgeville was a newly built highway, specifically for this project.

In November 2021, the [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]] was enacted, designating the Fall Line Freeway corridor from Columbus to Augusta as the "Middle Georgia Corridor," part of the proposed [[Interstate 14]] Gulf Coast Strategic Highway; however, the route would require substantial upgrades (including several bypasses) to meet interstate highway standards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=November 15, 2021|title=Congress designates Interstate 14 across five states with I-14 corridor through San Angelo|url=https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2021/11/15/five-state-14-designation-now-final-infrastructure-bill/8630360002/|access-date=2021-12-30|website=San Angelo Standard-Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Helm|first=Claire|date=2021-11-16|title=Rep. Bishop: Infrastructure bill is 'win-win' for Georgians|url=https://wgxa.tv/news/local/rep-bishop-infrastructure-bill-is-win-win-for-georgians|access-date=2021-12-30|website=WGXA}}</ref>

==Route description==
Contrary to its description as a "freeway," the Fall Line Freeway is a four-lane [[divided highway]], except for short two-lane sections west of Sandersville and within [[Wrens, Georgia|Wrens]] and undivided portions in places like [[Reynolds, Georgia|Reynolds]], [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]], and [[Ivey, Georgia|Ivey]]. Four freeway sections exist: following the J.R. Allen Parkway (part of [[U.S. Route 80 in Georgia|US&nbsp;80]]/[[Georgia State Route 22|SR&nbsp;22]]), which is the [[Bypass (road)|bypass]] north of [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Interstate 75 in Georgia|Interstate&nbsp;75]] (I-75) from [[Byron, Georgia|Byron]] to [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]], [[Interstate 16|I-16]] in Macon, and the interchange with [[U.S. Route 441 in Georgia|US&nbsp;441]] between [[Ivey, Georgia|Ivey]] and [[Sandersville, Georgia|Sandersville]], south of [[Milledgeville, Georgia|Milledgeville]]. The highway is designed to assist the flow of [[Commercial vehicle|commercial traffic]], providing an easier path for [[Freight transport|freight trucks]] carrying goods between Columbus and [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]], avoiding [[Atlanta]]. Much of the route follows US&nbsp;80, [[Georgia State Route 96|SR&nbsp;96]], [[Georgia State Route 24|SR&nbsp;24]], [[Georgia State Route 88|SR&nbsp;88]], and [[U.S. Route 1 in Georgia|US&nbsp;1]]/[[Georgia State Route 4|SR&nbsp;4]],<ref name="GDOT route">{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/AboutGeorgia/Board/Presentations/FallLineFreeway.pdf |title=Fall Line Freeway |last=Carr |first=Toby |publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=December 15, 2018 }}</ref><!-- Reference shows the route of the freeway, since it isn't completely signed as SR 540, yet.--> while other parts are separate alignments, such as much of the portion between Scottsboro and Sandersville. The route is named for the [[fall line]] escarpment it follows, a geographical division between the coastal plain and inland hills. 

===Muscogee County===
[[File:Fall Line Freeway in between Columbus and Macon.jpg|thumb|The Fall Line Freeway as seen in between Columbus and Macon]]
SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF begin on an unnamed bridge over the [[Chattahoochee River]], at the [[Alabama]] state line, on the [[Phenix City, Alabama]]–[[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]] city line, [[Concurrency (road)|concurrent]] with [[U.S. Route 80 in Georgia|U.S. Route&nbsp;80]] (US&nbsp;80) and [[Georgia State Route 22|SR&nbsp;22]]. The state line is also the western terminus of SR&nbsp;22. On the Alabama side of the state line, US&nbsp;80 (and the [[Unsigned highway|unsigned]] designation [[Alabama State Route 8]]) travel on the J.R. Allen Parkway, a [[Limited-access road|freeway]] into Phenix City. On the Georgia side, US&nbsp;80, SR&nbsp;22, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF utilize the parkway as a [[Bypass (road)|bypass]] of most of Columbus. They head to the east-northeast and curve to the northeast. Immediately, they have an [[Interchange (road)|interchange]] with the northern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 22 Connector (Columbus)|SR&nbsp;22 Connector]] (SR&nbsp;22 Conn.; Manchester Expressway). Just over {{convert|1000|ft|m}} later, they meet [[Georgia State Route 219|SR&nbsp;219]] (River Road). After an interchange with Bradley Park Drive, they meet [[Interstate 185 (Georgia)|Interstate&nbsp;185]] (I-185 and its unsigned companion designation [[Georgia State Route 411|SR&nbsp;411]]) and [[U.S. Route 27 in Georgia|US&nbsp;27]]/[[Georgia State Route 1|SR&nbsp;1]] (Veterans Parkway). On the eastbound side is also access to Moon Road, which has a separate exit on the westbound side. The highways then meet Blackmon and Schomburg roads. After a curve to the southeast, the freeway ends, and the roadway changes to a [[divided highway]]. Almost immediately, they have an interchange with [[U.S. Route 27 Alternate (Georgia)|US&nbsp;27 Alternate]] (US&nbsp;27 Alt.) and [[Georgia State Route 85|SR&nbsp;85]]. They curve to the east-northeast and then meet the eastern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 22 Spur (Columbus)|SR&nbsp;22 Spur]] (Macon Road). They travel in a generally northeastern direction until entering [[Upatoi, Georgia|Upatoi]]. There, they curve to the southeast. Then, they curve back to the east-northeast and cross over Baker Creek, where they leave the [[city limits]] of Columbus and Muscogee County and enter [[Talbot County, Georgia|Talbot County]].

===Talbot County===
The highway continues to the east-northeast and travels just to the north of [[Box Springs, Georgia|Box Springs]]. After beginning to head to the northeast, FLF crosses over Rockmore and [[Upatoi Creek|Upatoi]] creeks and intersects the northern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 355|SR&nbsp;355]]. It curves to an easterly direction and intersects [[Georgia State Route 41|SR&nbsp;41]], which joins the concurrency. US&nbsp;80, SR&nbsp;22, SR&nbsp;41, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curves to the northeast and enters [[Geneva, Georgia|Geneva]]. In the central part of the city, US&nbsp;80, SR&nbsp;22, and SR&nbsp;41 make a left turn to the north-northwest at the western terminus of [[Georgia State Route 96|SR&nbsp;96]]. Here, the FLF takes the beginning of SR&nbsp;96 to the northeast. Almost immediately, it intersects the western terminus of [[Georgia State Route 240|SR&nbsp;240]]. The roadway curves to the east-southeast and leaves Geneva. The highway then intersects a former segment of SR&nbsp;96. Then, it begins a gradual curve to the northeast. Right after curving back to the south-southeast, it begins a concurrency with [[Georgia State Route 90|SR&nbsp;90]]. Approximately {{convert|2000|ft|m}} later, SR&nbsp;90, SR&nbsp;96, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF intersect another former segment of SR&nbsp;96. The highway enters [[Junction City, Georgia|Junction City]]. It curved to the east-southeast and intersects Old Mauk Road, which leads to the main part of Junction City. It curved to the east-northeast and intersected the southern terminus of Buckner Road, which also leads to the main part of the city. At this intersection, SR&nbsp;90 turns right to the south-southeast. The FLF curves back to the east-southeast, leaving the city limits and enters [[Taylor County, Georgia|Taylor County]].

===Taylor County===
The FLF (SR&nbsp;96, SR&nbsp;540 ) travels through the southern part of [[Howard, Georgia|Howard]]. Just after beginning a curve to the south-southeast, it intersects the western terminus of Old 96 Road, the former path of SR&nbsp;96 through [[Butler, Georgia|Butler]]. The highway travels on a southern [[Bypass (road)|bypass]] of the city. Just west of the city is an intersection with [[Georgia State Route 137|SR&nbsp;137]] (Charing Road). The highway curves to the east-southeast. Just before an intersection with the northern terminus of Payne Farm Road and the southern terminus of Tower Street, it enters the southern part of Butler. There, it intersects [[U.S. Route 19 in Georgia|US&nbsp;19]]/[[Georgia State Route 3|SR&nbsp;3]] (South Broad Street). Just after leaving the city limits of Butler, the highway curves to the northeast. After a curve to the east-northeast, it intersects the eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;96's former path through Butler. It curves to the southeast and enters [[Reynolds, Georgia|Reynolds]] just before an intersection with the southern terminus of Hicks Road. It curves to the east and enters the main part of the city. It intersects [[Georgia State Route 128|SR&nbsp;128]] (Winston Street). Just west of Collins Street, the highway curves to the east-northeast. It curves to the east-southeast and leaves the city limits of Reynolds just to the west of an intersection with the northern terminus of South General John B. Gordon Road. It curves to the southeast and then back to the east- northeast. and crosses over the [[Flint River (Georgia)|Flint River]] on the Ward Edwards Bridge. Here, it enters [[Crawford County, Georgia|Crawford County]].

===Crawford and Peach counties===
SR&nbsp;96, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curve to the east-southeast and then gradually curve to the northeast. During a curve to the east-northeast, they enter [[Peach County, Georgia|Peach County]]. Just to the west of Aldridge Road, they re-enter Crawford County. Less than {{convert|2000|ft|m}} later, they re-enter Peach County. They curve to the northeast and intersect the southern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 49 Connector (Fort Valley)|SR&nbsp;49 Conn.]] Here, SR&nbsp;96 turns right to the southeast, towards [[Fort Valley, Georgia|Fort Valley]], while SR&nbsp;49 Conn., SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF head to the northeast on a bypass of the city. They curve to the east-northeast. Just after an intersection with Peggy Drive, they pass Fort Valley Middle School. After a curve to the northeast, they pass Hunt Elementary School and intersect [[U.S. Route 341|US&nbsp;341]]/[[Georgia State Route 7|SR&nbsp;7]] (Hartley Road). They curve to a due-east direction before curving to the southeast, where they intersect [[Georgia State Route 49|SR&nbsp;49]]. Here, SR&nbsp;49 Conn. ends, and SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF take SR&nbsp;49 to the northeast. They curve to the east-northeast and then back to the northeast. They cross over Mule Creek and enter [[Powersville, Georgia|Powersville]]. There, they intersect the western terminus of [[Georgia State Route 247 Connector (Warner Robins)|SR&nbsp;247 Conn.]] (Robert Ray Parkway) and the southern terminus of Newell Road. The highways curve to the north-northeast. They enter [[Byron, Georgia|Byron]]. In the city, they intersect [[Georgia State Route 42|SR&nbsp;42]]. At an interchange with [[Interstate 75 in Georgia|I-75]] (and its unsigned companion designation [[Georgia State Route 401|SR&nbsp;401]]), SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF split off of SR&nbsp;49 and follow I-75 to the north. I-75, SR&nbsp;401, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curve to the north-northeast and leave Byron and then re-enter Crawford County. Just a short distance later, they cross over [[Echeconnee Creek]] into [[Bibb County, Georgia|Bibb County]].

===Bibb County===
The highways reach the Coach Billy Henderson Interchange with Sardis Church Road. Approximately {{convert|2|mi|km}} later is an interchange with Hartley Bridge Road. About {{convert|1|mi|km}} later, they meet the southern terminus of [[Interstate 475 (Georgia)|I-475]] (and its unsigned companion designation [[Georgia State Route 408|SR&nbsp;408]]). They curve to the northeast. At a bridge over Rocky Creek, they enter the city limits of [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]]. Immediately, they have an interchange with [[U.S. Route 41 in Georgia|US&nbsp;41]]/[[Georgia State Route 247|SR&nbsp;247]] (Pio Nono Avenue). Within this interchange, I-75, SR&nbsp;401, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curve back to the north-northeast. Just after this interchange, they have a partial exit with Rocky Creek Road, which is only accessed from the westbound lanes. Access to US&nbsp;41 north and SR&nbsp;247 north for the westbound lanes is provided via this interchange. Approximately {{convert|2|mi|km}} later, they curve to a nearly due-north direction and meet US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;22 (Eisenhower Parkway). At a bridge over Anthony Road, they curve to the north-northwest. Right after this bridge is an interchange with the eastern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 74|SR&nbsp;74]] (Mercer University Drive). Within this interchange, the highways curve to the northeast. They then meet [[U.S. Route 41 Business (Macon, Georgia)|US&nbsp;41 Bus.]]/[[Georgia State Route 19|SR&nbsp;19]] (Forsyth Street). This interchange also provides access to Hardeman Avenue. The highways then curve back to the north-northeast. Just after they travel under a bridge that carries [[U.S. Route 23 in Georgia|US&nbsp;23]]/[[Georgia State Route 87|SR&nbsp;87]] (Riverside Drive), they meet the western terminus of [[Interstate 16|I-16]] (and its unsigned companion designation [[Georgia State Route 404|SR&nbsp;404]]) at the Major Bobby Jones MD POW–MIA Interchange.

Here, SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF split off of I-75/SR&nbsp;401 and begin a concurrency with I-16/SR&nbsp;404. The highways travel to the east-southeast. Immediately, they cross over the [[Ocmulgee River]]. They curve to the southeast and then have an interchange with US&nbsp;23/[[U.S. Route 129 in Georgia|US&nbsp;129]]/[[Georgia State Route 49|SR&nbsp;49]] (Spring Street). Within this interchange, the roadway curves to the south-southeast. Almost immediately is a westbound-only interchange with SR&nbsp;22 (Second Street). About {{convert|0.3|mi|km}} later, they meet US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;87 (known as M.L. King Jr. Boulevard south of I-16 and Coliseum Drive north of it) at the Phil Walden Memorial Interchange. Here, SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF split off of I-16 and begin following US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;87. They travel to the northeast and pass the [[Macon Coliseum]]. Then they curve to the north-northeast and pass the [[Georgia Secretary of State]]'s Professional Licensing Boards Division. An intersection with the appropriately named Hospital Drive leads to Coliseum Medical Centers. Approximately {{convert|1000|ft|m}} later, they intersect US&nbsp;23/[[U.S. Route 129 Alternate (Hawkinsville–Macon, Georgia)|US&nbsp;129 Alt.]]/SR&nbsp;19 (Emery Highway). Here, US&nbsp;80, SR&nbsp;87, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF turn right onto the other highways. The six highways (plus Emery Highway and the FLF) travel due east. They curve to the east-northeast and enter the northern part of [[Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park]]. They reach the main entrance to the park. This is also the southern terminus of Jeffersonville Road, which leads to [[Bowden Golf Course]]. The highways curve to the southeast and temporarily leave the park's boundary. Almost immediately, they re-enter the park's boundary. They cross over Walnut Creek, leave the park's boundary, leave the city limits of Macon and enter [[East Macon, Georgia|East Macon]]. Approximately {{convert|3000|ft|m}} later, they begin a curve to the east. Right after this, US&nbsp;23, US&nbsp;129 Alt., and SR&nbsp;87 resume their southeasterly course, while US&nbsp;80, SR&nbsp;19, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF split off to the east. The highways curve to a northeasterly direction. They intersect the northern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 87 Connector (East Macon)|SR&nbsp;87 Conn.]] (Ocmulgee East Boulevard) and the southern terminus of Jeffersonville Road. After a gradual curve to the east-southeast, they intersect the western terminus of [[Georgia State Route 57|SR&nbsp;57]] and the southern terminus of Hitchcock Road. Here, US&nbsp;80 and SR&nbsp;19 turned right to the south-southeast, while SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF take SR&nbsp;57 to the east-northeast. About {{convert|1|mi|km}} later, the highways leave East Macon and enter [[Jones County, Georgia|Jones County]].

===Jones, Twiggs, Wilkinson, and Baldwin counties===
SR&nbsp;57, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curve to the east-southeast. After beginning a curve to the southeast, they enter [[Twiggs County, Georgia|Twiggs County]]. They curve back to the east-southeast, travel just south of Harrisons Lake, and cross over Big Sandy Creek. Just before an intersection with the northern terminus of New Haven Church Road and the southern terminus of Old Griswoldville Road, they begin a curve to the east-northeast and travel north of Birdsong Pond. After this curve, they cross over Clear Creek. A short distance later, they enter [[Wilkinson County, Georgia|Wilkinson County]]. Nearly {{convert|3000|ft|m}} later, the highways begin a curve to the north-northeast and intersect the western terminus of former [[Georgia State Route 243|SR&nbsp;243]] and Maddox Road. Here, SR&nbsp;57 turns right onto Maddox Road to the east-southeast, and SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF continue to the north-northeast. They function like a bypass of the main part of [[Gordon, Georgia|Gordon]]. They curve to the northeast and cross over Little Commissioner Creek. Just northwest of the city, the highways intersect [[Georgia State Route 18|SR&nbsp;18]] (Gray Highway). They curve to the east-southeast and enter the northern part of Gordon. They temporarily leave Gordon and curve to the east-northeast. They skirt through the extreme northeastern part of the city. When they again leave Gordon, they enter [[Ivey, Georgia|Ivey]]. The highways curve to the north-northeast and then cross over Lake Tchukolaho on the McCook Bridge. At a crossing over Beaver Creek on the O.L. "Red" Brooks Memorial Bridge, the highways leave Ivey. They begin a curve to the east-northeast to an intersection where former SR&nbsp;243 turns left onto Pennington Highway to the north-northeast, while SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF continue to the east-northeast. A short distance later, they clip the southern corner of [[Baldwin County, Georgia|Baldwin County]]. The highways re-enter Wilkinson County. They curve to the northeast and cross over Black Creek. They curve back to the east-northeast to an interchange with [[U.S. Route 441 in Georgia|US&nbsp;441]]/[[Georgia State Route 29|SR&nbsp;29]]. SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF curve to the north-northeast and re-enter Baldwin County. They curve back to the northeast. Just after beginning to curve back to the north-northeast, they meet [[Georgia State Route 112|SR&nbsp;112]]. They cross over Reedy Creek and curve to the northeast. They cross over the [[Oconee River]] at a point just southeast of the southeastern point of [[Milledgeville, Georgia|Milledgeville]]. They curve to the east-northeast and then to the southeast. They then begin a concurrency with [[Georgia State Route 24|SR&nbsp;24]]. SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF take SR&nbsp;24 to the south-southeast. They curve back to the southeast and cross over Town Creek just after a curve to the east-southeast. The highways curve back to the southeast and cross over Gumm Creek, entering [[Washington County, Georgia|Washington County]].

===Washington County===
Approximately {{convert|2000|ft|m}} later, SR&nbsp;24, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curve to the east-southeast and intersect the northern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 272|SR&nbsp;272]]. They cross over Bluff Creek and then curve back to the east-northeast. Along the way to [[Sandersville, Georgia|Sandersville]], they cross over Buffalo Creek. Just west of the city, the highways intersect the eastern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 68|SR&nbsp;68]] (Tennille–Macon Road) and the southern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 24 Spur (Sandersville)|SR&nbsp;24 Spur]] (Yank Brown Road). SR&nbsp;24, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF travel on a northern bypass of the main part of the city. They curve to the northeast and cross over Limestone Creek. Then they intersect the western terminus of [[Georgia State Route 242|SR&nbsp;242]] (West Church Street). They curve back to the east-northeast and intersect Deepstep Road, which leads to [[Oconee Fall Line Technical College]]. This intersection is on the edge of the city limits of Sandersville. Almost immediately, the highways enter the northern part of the city. They then intersect Linton Road, which leads to the Linton community, T.J. Elder Middle School, and [[Brentwood School (Sandersville)|Brentwood School]]. The highways curve to the southeast and intersect [[Georgia State Route 15|SR&nbsp;15]] (Sparta Road). A short distance later, they leave the city limits of the city. They curve to the east-northeast and intersect Ridge Road. Here, SR&nbsp;24 turns right to the south-southwest, while SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF take the beginning of [[Georgia State Route 88|SR&nbsp;88]] to the east-northeast. They cross over [[Williamson Swamp Creek]] before intersecting the northern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 231|SR&nbsp;231]] (Tree Nursery Road). Then, they cross over the [[Ogeechee River]] to enter [[Jefferson County, Georgia|Jefferson County]].

===Jefferson County===
After curving to the north-northeast, they enter the [[Grange, Georgia|Grange]] community. There, they intersect [[Georgia State Route 171|SR&nbsp;171]] (Grange Road). Then, the highways cross over [[Rocky Comfort Creek (Georgia)|Rocky Comfort Creek]]. After that, they curve to the northeast. Just before an intersection with the southern terminus of Hadden Pond Road, they curve back to the east-northeast. SR&nbsp;88, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF cross over Duhart Creek, curve to a northeasterly direction, and intersect [[Georgia State Route 296|SR&nbsp;296]]. They cross over Big Creek and curve back to the northeast. After beginning a curve to the east-southeast, they enter [[Wrens, Georgia|Wrens]]. They intersect [[U.S. Route 1 in Georgia|US&nbsp;1]], [[U.S. Route 221 in Georgia|US&nbsp;221]], [[Georgia State Route 4|SR&nbsp;4]], and [[Georgia State Route 17|SR&nbsp;17]] ([[Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway]]<!--per signage-->). SR&nbsp;88, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF turn left onto the other highways. US&nbsp;1, US&nbsp;221, SR&nbsp;4, SR&nbsp;17, SR&nbsp;88, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF travel to the north-northeast, into the main part of the city. At an intersection with the western terminus of Howard Street, SR&nbsp;17 departs the concurrency to the north-northwest on Thomson Highway. In downtown Wrens, they intersect [[Georgia State Route 80|SR&nbsp;80]] (Broad Street), where SR&nbsp;88 departs the concurrency to the east-northeast. They curve to the northeast and intersect the eastern terminus of [[Georgia State Route 47|SR&nbsp;47]]. Here, US&nbsp;221 departs the concurrency, with it and SR&nbsp;47 traveling to the north-northwest. After leaving Wrens, US&nbsp;1, SR&nbsp;4, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF cross over Reedy Creek on the Floyd L. Norton Memorial Bridge. They curve to the north-northeast and cross over Brier Creek, entering [[Richmond County, Georgia|Richmond County]] and the city limits of [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]].

===Richmond County===
US&nbsp;1, SR&nbsp;4, SR&nbsp;540, and the FLF curve to the east-northeast and cross over [[Boggy Gut Creek]]. After curving back to the northeast, they cross over Sandy Run Creek. Then, they curve to the east, before curving to the east-northeast. The highways enter the city limits of [[Blythe, Georgia|Blythe]]. They intersect the western terminus of Church Street, which leads to Blythe city hall, a U.S. Post Office, and Blythe Elementary School. They begin a curve to the northeast. On this curve they intersect SR&nbsp;88 and the southern terminus of Hoods Chapel Road<!--US 1/SR 4/SR 540/FLF does not actually intersect SR 88, just an extremely brief connector to it. Intersection is like the letter "K" with a horizontal line in the center.-->. They leave Blythe and re-enter Augusta. They curve to the north-northeast and cross over South Prong Creek. The concurrency begins to curve back to the northeast. On this curve, they cross over Spirit Creek. This crossing is just south of Gordon Lakes Golf Course. They intersect the northern terminus of [[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Willis Foreman Road|Willis Foreman Road]] before an interchange with [[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Tobacco Road|Tobacco Road]]. They cross over Butler Creek and curve to the east-northeast to an intersection with the northern terminus of [[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Meadowbrook Drive|Meadowbrook Drive]] and the southern terminus of [[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Barton Chapel Road|Barton Chapel Road]]. The roadway begins a curve back to the northeast. At an interchange with [[Interstate 520 in Georgia|I-520]] ([[Bobby Jones Expressway]]; and its unsigned companion designation [[Georgia State Route 415|SR&nbsp;415]]), both SR&nbsp;540 and the FLF end, while US&nbsp;1 and SR&nbsp;4 continue into the heart of Augusta.

==History==
===1920s to 1960s===
The roadway that would eventually become SR&nbsp;540 (Fall Line Freeway) was established at least as early as 1919 as part of SR&nbsp;22 in the northern part of the Columbus area, SR&nbsp;49 from Fort Valley to Byron, SR&nbsp;24 in the western part of the Sandersville area, and an unnumbered road from Wrens to Augusta.<ref name="GDOT 1920">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1920 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> By the end of 1921, SR&nbsp;22 was shifted southward to travel between Columbus and Geneva. SR&nbsp;19 was established from Macon to East Macon. SR&nbsp;57 was established between East Macon and Gordon. SR&nbsp;24 was placed on the Wrens–Augusta segment.<ref name="GDOT 1920"/><ref name="GDOT 1921">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1921 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> By October 1926, US&nbsp;80 was designated on the Columbus–Geneva segment. US&nbsp;1 was designated on the Wrens–Augusta segment.<ref name="GDOT 1921"/><ref name="GDOT 1926">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1926 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> By October 1929, SR&nbsp;24 was removed from the Wrens–Augusta segment and was replaced with SR&nbsp;4.<ref name="GDOT 1926"/><ref name="GDOT 1929-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1929-10 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1931, SR&nbsp;96 was established between Geneva and Reynolds.<ref name="GDOT 1932-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1932-01 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1932-02">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1932-02 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1937, SR&nbsp;96 was shifted to the southeast, onto the Reynolds–Fort Valley segment.<ref name="GDOT 1937-10">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1937-10 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1938-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1938-01 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> Between January 1945 and November 1946, SR&nbsp;243 was designated between Gordon to south-southwest of Milledgeville.<ref name="GDOT 1945-01">{{Cite GDOT map |date=1945-01 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1946">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1946 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> Between June 1960 and June 1963, I-75 was proposed in the Byron area. An unnumbered road was built from [[Georgia State Route 171|SR&nbsp;171]] northwest of [[Louisville, Georgia|Louisville]] to Wrens.<ref name="GDOT 1960">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1960 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1963">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1963 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> By 1966, I-75 was completed from Byron to the I-475 interchange and proposed from there to the I-16 interchange. I-16 was proposed in Macon. SR&nbsp;88 was established on the Sandersville–Wrens segment.<ref name="GDOT 1963"/><ref name="GDOT 1966">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1966 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1966, I-16 was completed in Macon.<ref name="GDOT 1966"/><ref name="GDOT 1967">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1967 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The next year, US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;22 was proposed to be shifted southward in the Macon area.<ref name="GDOT 1967"/><ref name="GDOT 1968">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1968 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref>

===1970s and 1980s===
In 1970, I-75 was completed just south of I-16.<ref name="GDOT 1970">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1970 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1971">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1971 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The next year, I-75 was completed in the Macon area.<ref name="GDOT 1971"/><ref name="GDOT 1972">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1972 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1983, the J.R. Allen Parkway, the freeway bypass of the main part of Columbus, was proposed along its current path.<ref name="GDOT 1983">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1983 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1984">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1984 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> By the beginning of 1986, this freeway was under construction from the Alabama state line to just east of US&nbsp;27/SR&nbsp;1. A southeastern bypass of Macon, designated as [[Georgia State Route 758|SR&nbsp;758]], was proposed from US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;22 at US&nbsp;41 Bus./US&nbsp;129 Alt./SR&nbsp;11 in the southern part of the city east-northeast, northeast, and north-northeast to US&nbsp;23/US&nbsp;80/US&nbsp;129 Alt./SR&nbsp;19/SR&nbsp;87 east of Ocmulgee National Monument in what is now East Macon.<ref name="GDOT 1984"/><ref name="GDOT 1986">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1986 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1988, it was completed, with US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;22 shifted onto it. The northern bypass of Fort Valley, designated as SR&nbsp;49 Connector, was proposed on its current path. Also, the northern bypass of Sandersville, designated as [[Georgia State Route 816|SR&nbsp;816]], was proposed from Deepstep Road northwest of the city to SR&nbsp;88 east-northeast of it.<ref name="GDOT 1988">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1988 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1989">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1989 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1989, SR&nbsp;816's proposed path was extended westward to SR&nbsp;24 west of Sandersville.<ref name="GDOT 1989"/><ref name="GDOT 1990">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1990 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref>

===1990s and 2000s===
In 1991, the Sandersville bypass was completed and redesignated as a westward extension of SR&nbsp;88.<ref name="GDOT 1991">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1991 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1992">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1992 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The next year, SR&nbsp;49 Conn. was completed.<ref name="GDOT 1992"/><ref name="GDOT 1993">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1993 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1993, a southern bypass of Butler, designated as [[Georgia State Route 827|SR&nbsp;827]], was proposed from SR&nbsp;96 west-northwest of the city to SR&nbsp;96 east of it.<ref name="GDOT 1993"/><ref name="GDOT 1994">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1994 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1997, the western part of SR&nbsp;758 was completed.<ref name="GDOT 1997">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1997 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 1998">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1998 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 1999, this bypass's proposed designation, SR&nbsp;827, was canceled.<ref name="GDOT 1999">{{Cite GDOT map |year=1999 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 2000">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2000 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 2000, all of SR&nbsp;758, except for the completed portion, was canceled. At this time, the Butler bypass was completed, but no route number was designated.<ref name="GDOT 2000"/><ref name="GDOT 2001">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2001 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 2004, a new roadway, from SR&nbsp;243 north-northeast of Ivey to SR&nbsp;24 southeast of Milledgeville, was proposed. Also, SR&nbsp;758 was re-proposed on its previous path.<ref name="GDOT 2004">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2004 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 2005">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2005 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The next year, SR&nbsp;758's proposed path was again canceled. Also, the proposed roadway between Ivey and Sandersville was also canceled.<ref name="GDOT 2005"/><ref name="GDOT 2006">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2006 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 2006, SR&nbsp;96 was shifted onto the Butler bypass. Also, SR&nbsp;758 was [[Decommissioned highway|decommissioned]].<ref name="GDOT 2006"/><ref name="GDOT 2007">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2007 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref>

===2010s===
Between 2011 and 2013, SR&nbsp;243 was extended southward as a western bypass of Gordon.<ref name="GDOT 2011">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2011 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 2013">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2013 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The highway's final {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} section of new roadway between SR&nbsp;24 and US&nbsp;441 south of Milledgeville in Baldwin and Wilkinson counties, as well of the {{convert|16|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} widening of SR 24 to the Sandersville bypass, was awarded to [[Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc.]] of [[Fleming Island, Florida]] in January 2013.<ref name="AtlBusChronicle">{{cite news |title=Fall Line Freeway gets final funding |first=Dave |last=Williams |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2013/01/02/fall-line-freeway-gets-final-funding.html |newspaper=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]] |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=July 24, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="AugustaChronicle">{{cite news |title=Fall Line Freeway linking Augusta to Columbus nearing completion |first=Meg |last=Mirshak |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/news/metro/2013-01-03/fall-line-freeway-linking-augusta-columbus-nearing-completion |newspaper=[[The Augusta Chronicle]] |date=January 3, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Union-Recorder">{{cite news |title=Fall Line Freeway nears completion |url=http://unionrecorder.com/x2056576517/Fall-Line-Freeway-nears-completion |newspaper=[[The Union-Recorder]] |date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=July 24, 2013 }}</ref> It appears as though GDOT has delayed plans to address the highway's passage through the city of [[Wrens, Georgia|Wrens]], where it reduces to a two-lane road through downtown with a [[center turn lane]]. According to GDOT's GRIP maps, the section through Wrens is considered complete.<ref name="factsheet 2018"/> Other documents suggest that GDOT has entertained the idea of a Wrens bypass, however.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/Studies/Documents/CCG/CCG%20Strategic%20Connections.pdf |title=Connect Central Georgia |date=July 1, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2018 }}</ref> The highway was estimated to cost $75.3 million.<ref name=cost>{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/Studies/Documents/CCG/CCG%20Exec%20Summary.pdf |title=Executive Summary |date=July 2013 |publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation |access-date=December 13, 2018 }}</ref> Between 2013 and 2015, a new road was built from SR&nbsp;243 north-northeast of [[Ivey, Georgia|Ivey]] to US&nbsp;441/SR&nbsp;29 south-southeast of [[Scottsboro, Georgia|Scottsboro]].<ref name="GDOT 2013"/><ref name="GDOT 2015">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2015 |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> The segment between the Scottsboro and Sandersville areas was completed and opened to traffic in October 2016.<ref name="GDOT last section">{{cite press release |last=Collins |first=Kyle |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Fall Line Freeway opening Monday afternoon |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/PartnerSmart/Public/PressReleases/Fall%20Line%20Freeway%20opening%20Monday%20afternoon-10-12-16.pdf#search=fall%20line%20freeway |publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation |access-date=December 16, 2018 }}</ref> In 2016, the new portion of highway was extended to SR&nbsp;24 southeast of Milledgeville, and SR&nbsp;243 was extended on it.<ref name="GDOT 2016">{{Cite GDOT map |year=Centennial |access-date=October 5, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="GDOT 2017">{{Cite GDOT map |year=2017 |access-date=October 5, 2019 }}</ref> Between August 2017 and July 2018, the highway was completed.<ref name="factsheet 2018"/><ref name="factsheet 2019">{{cite press release |title=Fall Line Freeway |date=July 2019 |publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/documents/GRIP/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf |access-date=October 5, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206164712/http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/documents/GRIP/Facts/FallLineFreewayFactSheet.pdf }}</ref> GDOT announced to the public that the highway was officially signed as Georgia State Route 540 on September 24, 2018.<ref name="GDOT Facebook">{{cite web |title=🆒 Fall Line Freeway a.k.a 🆕 Highway 540 |url=https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGDOTEast%2Fposts%2F2242238139356908&width=500 |website=[[Facebook]] |date=September 23, 2018 |access-date=December 12, 2018 }}</ref> In October 2018, GDOT began installing SR&nbsp;540 shields in Columbus.<ref name="540 shields">{{cite news |last=Gunn |first=Olivia |url=http://www.wtvm.com/2018/10/06/new-highway-road-signs-installed-columbus/ |title=New Highway 540 road signs installed in Columbus |publisher=[[WTVM]] |date=October 5, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2018 }}</ref>

==Future==
The 2021 [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]] designated the Fall Line Freeway as a future extension of [[Interstate 14|I-14]], which currently connects [[Copperas Cove, Texas|Copperas Cove]] to [[Belton, Texas]]. The extension, if ultimately built, will cross Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, ending in Augusta, Georgia.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name="CCG">{{cite web|date=July 2013|title=Connect Central Georgia&nbsp;– Final Report|url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BuildSmart/Studies/Documents/CCG/CCG%20Full%20Report.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2018|publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation|pages=2–3}}</ref> This routing is listed under High Priority Corridor 102, the Middle Georgia Corridor, with I-14 generally following (and possibly overlapping part of) the FLF. A timeline for this has not been determined.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statutory Listing of Corridor Descriptions - High Priority Corridors - National Highway System - Planning - FHWA |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/high_priority_corridors/hpcor.cfm |access-date=January 4, 2022 |website=[[Federal Highway Administration|Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=DeFazio |first=Peter A. |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Text: H.R.3684, 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684/text |access-date=January 4, 2022 |publisher=United States Congress}}</ref>

==Major intersections==
{{Mileposts}}
{{Jcttop|exit|state=GA}}
{{jctint|exit
|river=[[Chattahoochee River]]
|lspan=2
|mile=
|mspan=2
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=AL|US|80|dir1=west|name1=[[Alabama State Route 8|SR&nbsp;8]] west|city1=Phenix City|city2=Montgomery}}
|notes=Western end of US&nbsp;80 concurrency; continuation into [[Alabama]]
}}
{{GAint|exit
|type=concur
|mile=none
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|22|dir1=begins}}
|notes=Bridge over the Chattahoochee River; western terminus of SR&nbsp;22 and SR&nbsp;540; western end of SR&nbsp;22 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Muscogee
|cspan=9
|location=Columbus
|lspan=6
|mile=
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Conn|22|dab1=Columbus|dir1=south|to2=to|SR|85|city1=Downtown Columbus}}
|notes=Northern terminus of SR&nbsp;22 Conn.
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=2
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|219|name1=River Road}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=3
|road=Bradley Park Drive
|notes=Signed as exits 3A (east) and 3B (west)
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=4
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|185|name1=[[Georgia State Route 411|SR&nbsp;411]]|US|27|SR|1|name3=Veterans Parkway|location1=[[Fort Moore]]|location2=[[Atlanta]]}}
|notes=I-185 exit 10
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=5
|road=Moon Road
|notes=Eastbound exit is combined with exit 4; also has exit for [[U.S. Route 27 in Georgia|US&nbsp;27]]/[[Georgia State Route 1|SR&nbsp;1]] (Veterans Parkway).
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=6
|road=Schomburg Road / Blackmon Road
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Midland
|lspan=3
|mile=
|road=Flat Rock Road
|notes=[[At-grade intersection]]; eastern end of freeway
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|US-Alt|27|SR|85|city1=Manchester|city2=Columbus}}
|notes=Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Spur|22|dab1=Columbus|dir1=west|name1=Macon Road}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;22 Spur
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Talbot
|cspan=9
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|355|dir1=south|city1=Buena Vista|city2=Cusseta|name1=Doctor Brooks Road}}
|notes=Northern terminus of SR&nbsp;355
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|41|dir1=south|city1=Buena Vista|city2=Oakland}}
|notes=Western end of SR&nbsp;41 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Geneva
|lspan=2
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|80|dir1=east|SR|22|dir2=east|SR|41|dir3=north|SR|96|dir4=begins|city1=Talbotton}}
|notes=Eastern end of US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;22 and SR&nbsp;41 concurrencies; western terminus of SR&nbsp;96; western end of SR&nbsp;96 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|road={{Jct|state=GA|SR|240|dir1=east}}
|notes=Western terminus of SR&nbsp;240
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road=Old SR&nbsp;96 east
|notes=Former SR&nbsp;96 east
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road=Old SR&nbsp;96 west
|notes=Former SR&nbsp;96 west
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=GA|SR|90|dir1=west|city1=Talbotton}}
|notes=Western end of SR&nbsp;90 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road=Old SR&nbsp;96 east
|notes=Former SR&nbsp;96 east
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Junction City
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=GA|SR|90|dir1=east|road|Buckner Road north|city1=Mauk|city2=Junction City}}
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;90 concurrency; southern terminus of Buckner Road
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Taylor
|cspan=5
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{Jct|state=GA|SR|137|name1=Charing Road|city1=Tazewell|city2=Butler}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road=Old 96 Road east&nbsp;– Taylor County Industrial Park
|notes=Western terminus of Old 96 Road; former SR&nbsp;96 east
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Butler
|mile=
|road={{Jct|state=GA|US|19|SR|3|name2=South Broad Street|city1=Ellaville|city2=Butler}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road=Old SR&nbsp;96&nbsp;– [[Southern Crescent Technical College Taylor County Center]]
|notes=Former SR&nbsp;96 west
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Reynolds
|mile=
|road={{Jct|state=GA|SR|128|name1=Winston Street|city1=Roberta|city2=Oglethorpe}}
}}
{{Jctbridge|exit
|river=[[Flint River (Georgia)|Flint River]]
|mile=
|bridge=Ward Edwards Bridge
}}
{{jctco|state=GA|county=Crawford}}
{{jctco|state=GA|county=Peach}}
{{jctco|state=GA|county=Crawford}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Peach
|cspan=6
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Conn|49|dab1=Fort Valley|dir1=begins|SR|96|dir2=east|location1=[[Massee Lane Gardens]]|location2=[[Fort Valley, Georgia|Ft Valley]]<!--per signage-->}}
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;96 concurrency; southern terminus of SR&nbsp;49 Conn.; southern end of SR&nbsp;49 Conn. concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|341|SR|7|name2=Hartley Road|city1=Fort Valley|city2=Roberta}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|49|dir1=south|SR-Conn|49|dab2=Fort Valley|dir2=ends|city1=Fort Valley}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;49 Conn.; eastern end of SR&nbsp;49 Conn. concurrency; western end of SR&nbsp;49 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Powersville
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Conn|247|dab1=Warner Robins|dir1=east|name1=Robert Ray Parkway|road|Newell Road north|to2=to|I|75|dir2=south|city1=Warner Robins|location2=[[Robins AFB]]|extra=hospital}}
|notes=Western terminus of SR&nbsp;247 Conn.; southern terminus of Newell Road; provides access to Navicent Health Medical Center of Peach County
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Byron
|lspan=2
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|42|dir1=north|city1=Knoxville|city2=Roberta}}
|notes=Southern terminus of SR&nbsp;42
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|type=concur
|exit=149
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|75|dir1=south|name1=[[Georgia State Route 401|SR&nbsp;401]] south|SR|49|dir2=north|city1=Valdosta}}
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;49 concurrency; western end of I-75/SR&nbsp;401 concurrency; I-75 exit 149
}}
{{jctco|exit|state=GA|county=Crawford}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Bibb
|cspan=16
|location=none
|mile=
|exit=153
|road=Sardis Church Road
|notes=Coach Billy Henderson Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|exit=155
|road=Hartley Bridge Road
|notes=[[Collector-distributor lane]]s on westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|type=incomplete
|mile=
|exit=156
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|475|dir1=north|name1=[[Georgia State Route 408|SR&nbsp;408]] north|location1=[[Atlanta]]}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; southern terminus of I-475/SR&nbsp;408
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Macon
|lspan=10
|mile=
|exit=160A
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|41|SR|247|name2=Pio Nono Avenue|city1=Warner Robins}}
|notes=Signed as exit 160 eastbound
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=160B
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|41|dir1=north|SR|247|dir2=north|name2=Pio Nono Avenue North|road|Rocky Creek Road}}
|notes=Eastbound entrance; westbound exit; eastbound exit for US&nbsp;41/SR&nbsp;247 is via exit 160.
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=162
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|80|SR|22|name2=Eisenhower Parkway|location1=St Farmers Mkt|location2=[[Central Georgia Technical College|Central Ga Tech]]|location3=[[Macon State College|Macon St College]]}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=163
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|74|dir1=west|name1=Mercer University Drive|location1=[[Mercer University]]|location2=[[Five Star Stadium]]|location3=[[Hawkins Arena]]}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;74
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=164
|road={{jct|state=GA|US-Bus|41|dab1=Macon|SR|19|name2=Forsyth Street|road|Hardeman Avenue|location1=[[Downtown Macon, Georgia|Downtown]]|location2=Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=165 <hr> 0 
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|16|dir1=begins|name1=[[Georgia State Route 404|SR&nbsp;404]] begins|I|75|dir2=north|name=[[Georgia State Route 401|SR&nbsp;401]] north|location1=[[Atlanta]]}}
|notes=Eastern end of I-75/SR&nbsp;401 concurrency; western terminus of I-16/SR&nbsp;404; western end of I-16/SR&nbsp;404 concurrency; I-75 exit 165; I-16 exit 0; [[t interchange|Major Bobby Jones MD POW–MIA Interchange]] 
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=1A
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|23|US|129|SR|49|name3=Spring Street / [[Georgia State Route 11|SR&nbsp;11]] / [[Georgia State Route 19|SR&nbsp;19]]|city1=Milledgeville|location2=[[Georgia College]]}}
|notes=No westbound exit or eastbound entrance from southbound Spring Street
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=1B
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|22|name1=Second Street|to2=y|US|129|SR|49|city1=Macon}}
|notes=Westbound exit only
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|exit=2
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|16|dir1=east|name1=[[Georgia State Route 404|SR&nbsp;404]] east|US|80|dir2=west|SR|87|dir3=south|name3=M.L. King Jr. Boulevard|location1=[[Georgia Sports Hall of Fame|Ga Sports Hall of Fame]]|location2=[[Tubman Museum]]|location3=[[Georgia College]]}}
|notes=Eastern end of I-16/SR&nbsp;404 concurrency; western end of US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;87 concurrency; Phil Walden Memorial Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=GA|US|23|dir1=north|US-Alt|129|dab2=Macon|dir2=north|SR|19|dir3=north|name3=Emery Highway west}}
|notes=Western end of US&nbsp;23/US&nbsp;129 Alt./SR&nbsp;19 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=East Macon
|lspan=3
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{Jct|state=GA|US|23|dir1=south|US-Alt|129|dab2=Macon|dir2=south|SR|87|dir3=south|city1=Cochran}}
|notes=Eastern end of US&nbsp;23/US&nbsp;129 Alt. and SR&nbsp;87 concurrencies; no westbound access to US&nbsp;23/US&nbsp;129&nbsp;Alt./SR&nbsp;87 south
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Conn|87|dab1=East Macon|dir1=south|name1=Ocmulgee East Boulevard|road|Jeffersonville Road north|city1=Cochran}}
|notes=Northern terminus of SR&nbsp;87 Conn.; southern terminus of Jeffersonville Road
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|80|dir1=east|SR|19|dir2=south|SR|57|dir3=begins|road|Hitchcock Road north|city1=Dry Branch|city2=Jeffersonville}}
|notes=Eastern end of US&nbsp;80/SR&nbsp;19 concurrency; western terminus of SR&nbsp;57; western end of SR&nbsp;57 concurrency; southern terminus of Hitchcock Road
}}
{{jctco|state=GA|county=Jones}}
{{jctco|state=GA|county=Twiggs}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Wilkinson
|cspan=5
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|57|dir1=east|name1=Maddox Road|city1=Irwinton}}
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;57 concurrency<!--Signage shows "EAST" at first intersection, but "NORTH" at second.-->; former western terminus of [[Georgia State Route 243|SR&nbsp;243]]; former western end of SR&nbsp;243 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|18|name1=Gray Highway|city1=Jeffersonville|city2=Gray}}
}}
{{jctbridge|exit
|location_special=Lake Tchukolaho
|mile=
|mile2=
|bridge=McCook Bridge
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Ivey
|mile=
|mile2=
|road=O.L. "Red" Brooks Memorial Bridge
|notes=Crossing over Beaver Creek; on [[city limits]] of Ivey
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road=Pennington Highway north
|notes=Southern terminus of Pennington Highway; former [[Georgia State Route 243|SR&nbsp;243]] north; former eastern end of SR&nbsp;243 concurrency
}}
{{jctco|state=GA|county=Baldwin}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Wilkinson
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|441|SR|29|city1=Irwinton|city2=Milledgeville}}
|notes=Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Baldwin
|cspan=2
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|112|dir1=south|city1=Toomsboro|city2=Milledgeville}}
|notes=Northern terminus of SR 112
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|24|dir1=north|city1=Sandersville|city2=Milledgeville}}
|notes=Western end of SR&nbsp;24 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Washington
|cspan=6
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|272|dir1=south|city1=Oconee}}
|notes=Northern terminus of SR&nbsp;272
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR-Spur|24|dab1=Sandersville|dir1=north|name1=Yank Brown Road|SR|68|dir2=west|name2=Tennille–Macon Road|city1=Sandersville|city2=Tennille}}
|notes=Southern terminus of SR&nbsp;24 Spur; eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;68
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|242|dir1=east|name1=West Church Street|city1=Sandersville|location2=C.D.L. range}}
|notes=Western terminus of SR&nbsp;242
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Sandersville
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|15|name1=Sparta Road|city1=Sandersville|city2=Sparta|location3=Sandersville Historic District}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|24|dir1=east|name1=Ridge Road|city1=Louisville}}
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;24 concurrency
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|231|dir1=south|name1=Tree Nursery Road<!--is this a current street name?-->|city1=Davisboro|city2=Wrightsville|location3=[[Washington State Prison]]}}
|notes=Northern terminus of SR&nbsp;231
}}
{{jctbridge|exit
|river=[[Ogeechee River]]
|mile=
|mile2=
|line=yes
|bridge=Fenn's Bridge<ref name="Fenn's Bridge">{{cite web |url=https://georgiahistory.com/ghmi_marker_updated/fenns-bridge/ |title=Fenn's Bridge |date=June 16, 2014 |publisher=[[Georgia Historical Society]] |access-date=December 23, 2018 }}</ref>
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Jefferson
|cspan=6
|location=Grange
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|171|name1=Grange Road<!--is this a current street name?-->|city1=Gibson|city2=Warrenton|city3=Louisville|city4=Edge Hill}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=none
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|296|city1=Louisville|city2=Stapleton}}
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Wrens
|lspan=4
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|1|dir1=south|US|221|dir2=south|SR|4|dir3=south|SR|17|dir4=south|name4=[[Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway]]<!--per signage-->|city1=Louisville}}
|notes=Western end of US&nbsp;1/SR&nbsp;4, US&nbsp;221, and SR&nbsp;17 concurrencies
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|17|dir1=north|name1=Thomson Highway|road|Howard Street east|city1=Thomson}}
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;17 concurrency; western terminus of Howard Street
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|80|SR|88|dir2=east|name2=Broad Street|to3=to|SR|17|SR|102|city1=Warrenton|city2=Matthews|city3=Keysville|city4=Waynesboro|city5=Avera|city6=Thomson}}
|notes=Western terminus of SR&nbsp;88
}}
{{GAint|exit
|type=concur
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|US|221|dir1=north<!--erroneously signed west here-->|SR|47|dir2=west|extra=airport|city1=Harlem|city2=Appling}}
|notes=Eastern end of US&nbsp;221 concurrency; eastern terminus of SR&nbsp;47; provides access to Wrens Memorial Airport
}}
{{jctbridge|exit
|river=Brier Creek
|mile=
|mile2=
|line=yes
|bridge=Floyd L. Norton Memorial Bridge
}}
{{GAint|exit
|county=Richmond
|cspan=4
|location=Blythe
|mile=
|road={{jct|state=GA|SR|88|road|Hoods Chapel Road north|city1=Blythe|city2=Hephzibah}}<!--Not a direct intersection; intersection is "K" shaped, with a connector between the two highways inbetween.-->
|notes=Southern terminus of Hoods Chapel Road
}}
{{GAint|exit
|location=Augusta
|lspan=3
|mile=
|road=[[Transportation in Augusta, Georgia#Tobacco Road|Tobacco Road]]&nbsp;– [[Fort Eisenhower]], Signal Corps Museum, [[Augusta Regional Airport|Bush Field]]
|notes=Interchange
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|type=incomplete
|road=Old Highway&nbsp;1 south
|notes=No access from US&nbsp;1 north/SR&nbsp;4 north/SR&nbsp;540 east/FLF east to Old Highway&nbsp;1 or vice versa; northern terminus of Old Highway&nbsp;1; former US&nbsp;1
}}
{{GAint|exit
|mile=
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=GA|I|520|name1=[[Bobby Jones Expressway]] / [[Georgia State Route 415|SR&nbsp;415]]|US|1|dir2=north|SR|4|dir3=north|name3=Deans Bridge Road}}
|notes=Eastern terminus; eastern end of US&nbsp;1/SR&nbsp;4 concurrency; I-520 exit 5; Henry L. Howard Memorial Interchange
}}
{{Jctbtm|col=7|keys=incomplete,concur}}

==See also==
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
* {{OSM relation|1646641}}
* {{Portal-inline|Georgia (U.S. state)}}
* {{Portal-inline|U.S. roads}}
* [[Savannah River Parkway]]
* [[Interstate 3]]
* [[Fall line]]; geographical namesake of the highway

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Studies/CCGStudy |title=Connect Central Georgia Study |publisher=Georgia Department of Transportation |access-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203202238/http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Studies/CCGStudy |url-status=dead }}

[[Category:Roads in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Expressways in the United States]]
[[Category:Freeways in the United States]]
[[Category:Interstate 14]]
[[Category:Transportation in Columbus, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Macon, Georgia]]
[[Category:Macon metropolitan area, Georgia]]
[[Category:Milledgeville micropolitan area, Georgia]]
[[Category:Streets and parkways in the Augusta metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Transportation in Muscogee County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Talbot County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Taylor County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Crawford County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Peach County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Bibb County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Jones County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Twiggs County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Wilkinson County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Baldwin County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Washington County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Jefferson County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Richmond County, Georgia]]
[[Category:2018 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]