Georgia State Route 26
State Route 26 is a state highway that travels west-to-east through portions of Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Houston, Pulaski, Bleckley, Laurens, Johnson, Emanuel, Bulloch, Bryan, Effingham, and Chatham counties through the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. It crosses nearly the entire width of the state, connecting Cusseta, on the southeastern edge of Fort Benning, near Columbus to Tybee Island on the Atlantic coast near Savannah, via Buena Vista, Ellaville, Oglethorpe, Hawkinsville, Cochran, Dublin, Swainsboro, Statesboro, and Savannah.
Route description
Chattahoochee to Houston counties
SR 26 begins at an intersection with US 27/US 280/SR 1/SR 520 in Cusseta, in the southeastern part of Fort Benning, in Chattahoochee County. Just over later, it exits the base's border and crosses over a Norfolk Southern Railway line. It proceeds to the east on Clarke Duncan Highway and travels to the north of Chattahoochee County High School. At Box Springs Road, SR 137 joins SR 26 in a brief concurrency. Approximately later, SR 137 departs to the northeast. A short distance later, SR 26 crosses over a Norfolk Southern Railway line and re-enters Fort Benning for just over. At that point, the highway exits Fort Benning, Cusseta, and Chattahoochee County, and enters Marion County. South of Glen Alta, SR 26 intersects the southern terminus of SR 355. Farther to the east, in Buena Vista, is an intersection with the southern terminus of SR 41 Conn.. One block later, SR 26 intersects the SR 41 mainline. Just past the Short Street intersection, the roadway begins paralleling a Norfolk Southern Railway line to the southeast. The highway then enters Schley County. Around the northwestern city limits of Ellaville, SR 26 and the Norfolk Southern Railway line take different paths to get to downtown. In downtown is an intersection with the northern terminus of SR 153. The highway curves to the east-northeast direction. Just before leaving the city limits of Ellaville, SR 26 intersects US 19/SR 3. After leaving town, it continues traveling to the east-northeast and enters Macon County. SR 26 travels through rural areas of the county. Southwest of Oglethorpe, it intersects SR 49. This intersection also marks the beginning of a concurrency with SR 49 Truck. The two highways travel to the northeast on the Oglethorpe–Montezuma Bypass, which crosses over a Norfolk Southern Railway line. Just after enter the city limits of Oglethorpe, the bypass ends, and SR 26/SR 49 Truck curves to the east-northeast. They cross over the Flint River and enter Montezuma. At South Dooly Street, southwest of the Flint River Community Hospital, SR 49 Truck departs to the north-northwest, concurrent with SR 90, which joins SR 26 to the east. This intersection is on the northeastern edge of Macon County High School. At Vienna Road, SR 90 departs to the southeast, and SR 224 begins, concurrent with SR 26. They cross over some railroad tracks of CSX on the John T. McKenzie Bridge. Just to the east of the entrance to Dr. C. P. Savage, Sr. Airport, SR 224 departs to the north. A little over farther to the east is the western terminus of SR 329. SR 26 travels to the northeast and curves back to the east just before entering Houston County.Houston to Laurens counties
SR 26 travels nearly due east and enters Henderson, where it intersects US 41/SR 7. East-southeast of there is an interchange with Interstate 75 at exit 127. The highway travels south-southwest of Elko. It travels to the east and curves to the southeast. After a very brief segment along the Houston–Pulaski county line, it enters Pulaski County proper. SR 26 travels through rural areas of the county as Columbus Highway until it enters Hawkinsville. In the northwestern part of town, it intersects US 129/US 341/SR 11. SR 26 travels to the east-southeast on Commerce Street, until it intersects US 129 Bus./US 341 Bus./SR 11 Bus.. All four highways travel concurrently to the southeast, and then to the east-northeast, on Commerce Street. At Jackson Street, US 129 Bus./SR 11 Bus. leaves the concurrency, and SR 112 joins. Two blocks later, US 129 Alt., which travels along a southbound-only section of Commerce Street that meet the east–west part that US 341 Bus./SR 26/SR 112 travels on. The four highways travel to the south-southeast, skirting along the western edge of Veterans Memorial Park, until they intersect US 341/SR 27/SR 230/SR 257. At this intersection, US 129 Alt.'s southbound lanes and US 341 Bus. both meet their southern terminus, and US 341/SR 27/SR 230/SR 257 joins the concurrency. The seven-highway concurrency travels to the east-southeast and crosses over the Ocmulgee River on the Roger H. Lawson Memorial Bridge. Approximately later, in Hartford, SR 230 departs to the south-southeast on Lower River Road, US 341/SR 27 travels to the southeast on Eastman Highway, and US 129 Alt./SR 26/SR 112/SR 257 travels nearly due north on Cochran Highway. About later, they begin to curve to the northeast and pass northwest of the Hawkinsville–Pulaski County Airport. The concurrency begins a curve to a more north-northeast routing, and SR 257 departs the concurrency on Chicken Road. A few miles later, the concurrency enters Bleckley County. After US 129 Alt./SR 26/SR 112 enters Cochran, they intersect US 23 Bus./SR 87 Bus.. At this intersection, US 129 Alt./SR 112 turns left onto the business routes, while SR 26 continues into downtown. Just past Cedar Hill Cemetery is an intersection with the western terminus of SR 126. Approximately later, the highway intersects US 23/SR 87. SR 26 then travels northwest of Bleckley County Elementary School and Uchee Trail Country Club. The highway travels through rural areas of the county and enters Laurens County.Laurens to Bryan counties
Approximately after entering the county, SR 26 has an interchange with I-16 at exit 39. The highway then enters Bender, where it intersects US 80/SR 19. The three highways travel concurrently to the east. US 80 and SR 26 are concurrent for the rest of their length. In Dudley, the concurrency intersects SR 338. The three highways travel south of the W. H. 'Bud' Barron Airport and enter Dublin just before they intersect US 441 Byp./SR 117. In the main part of the city, they intersect US 441/SR 29. At this intersection, SR 19 departs the concurrency to the south, while SR 29 joins. The concurrent highways circle around the Laurens County Superior Court. At Washington Street, US 319/SR 31 also joins the concurrency. The five highways cross over the Oconee River on the Herschel Lovett Bridge and enter East Dublin. US 319/SR 31 departs the concurrency to the northeast on Wrightsville Avenue. Almost immediately after that, SR 29 departs the concurrency to the southeast on Soperton Avenue. US 80/SR 26 crosses over a Norfolk Southern Railway line and travel through rural areas of the county before entering Johnson County. US 80/SR 26 travels through Scott and then enters Adrian. Just east of Kelly Street, they enter Emanuel County. In the main part of town, they intersect SR 15/SR 78. Immediately afterward, the concurrency crosses back into Johnson County. They curve to a north-northeast direction and cross over the Ohoopee River on the William H. Brantley Jr. Bridge and re-enter Emanuel County. The concurrent highways curve to the east-southeast and make a gradual curve to the northeast. They intersect US 221/SR 171 before crossing over the Little Ohoopee River. Just prior to entering the city limits of Swainsboro, they intersect US 1/SR 4/SR 57. Immediately to the east of the intersection, they enter Swainsboro and are known locally as West Main Street. At Tyson Street, SR 56 joins the concurrency through the city. Approximately later, they intersect US 1 Bus./SR 4 Bus.. After crossing over a Norfolk Southern Railway line, SR 56 departs the concurrency. US 80/SR 26 curves to the east-southeast and enters Twin City. There, they have intersections with SR 192 and SR 23. They travel through George L. Smith State Park and intersect SR 121 just before entering Bulloch County. After traveling through Portal, US 80/SR 26 intersects US 25/SR 67 in Hopeulikit. The four highways travel concurrently to the southeast, toward Statesboro. Just before entering the city limits, they intersect the northern terminus of US 25 Byp./SR 67 Byp., a partial bypass of the city. In the main part of Statesboro, they intersect US 301/SR 73. At this intersection, US 25/SR 67 departs the US 80/SR 26 concurrency. The two highways curve to the southeast and pass Eastside Cemetery just before intersecting the southern terminus of SR 24. Approximately before leaving the city limits, they intersect US 301 Byp./SR 73 Byp.. US 80/SR 26 travels through Brooklet, to the east of Southeast Bulloch High School. In Stilson, they intersect the northern terminus of SR 119 Conn. They travel to the southeast and have a brief concurrency with SR 119 just before entering Bryan County.Bryan to Chatham counties
US 80/SR 26 enters Blitchton, where they intersect US 280/SR 30. At this intersection, US 280 meets its eastern terminus, while SR 30 joins the concurrency. The three highways cross over the Ogeechee River into Effingham County. After traveling through Eden, they cross over the Little Ogeechee River. Just before entering Chatham County, they intersect SR 17. At this intersection, SR 30 departs the concurrency, and SR 17 joins it. US 80/SR 17/SR 26 enters Bloomingdale. There, they have an intersection with the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway, and then, SR 17 departs the concurrency on Cherry Street. In Pooler, the concurrent highways have an interchange with Pooler Parkway and then the eastbound and westbound lanes split into one-way streets. The lanes come back together just before the interchange with I-95 at exit 102. Along the Pooler–Garden City city line is an intersection with SR 307. After crossing over some Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad lines, they intersect the southern terminus of SR 26 Conn. US 80/SR 26 curves to the southeast and enter Savannah, paralleling I-516/SR 21/SR 25. Farther to the southeast, they intersect SR 25 Conn.. US 80/SR 25 Conn./SR 26 travels south-southwest on Collins Street, then turn left onto Augusta Avenue, to travel southeast to a partial interchange with I-516/SR 21/SR 25. Here, SR 25 Conn. meets its southern terminus. A short distance later, I-516/US 80/SR 21/SR 25/SR 26 crosses over various railroad tracks and have an incomplete interchange with West Gwinnett Street. Almost immediately is an interchange with I-16/US 17. At this point, US 17 joins the concurrency. A short distance later, the concurrency crosses over some railroad tracks of CSX and have an incomplete interchange with Tremont Road. At Ogeechee Road, US 17/SR 25 departs the concurrency to the southwest, while US 80/SR 26 departs to the northeast. The two highways cross over some railroad tracks of CSX and have an incomplete interchange with Stiles Avenue. They turn right onto Victory Drive. At Abercorn Street, they intersect SR 204. They skirt along the northeastern edge of Daffin Park. They meet the Harry S. Truman Parkway at an interchange. Then, they leave Savannah and travel through Thunderbolt, crossing over the Wilmington River and the Intracoastal Waterway. They cross over Gray Creek and then intersect the western terminus of Johnny Mercer Boulevard, the path of former SR 367. US 80/SR 26 also meets Islands Expressway, part of their former routing in the area. They have an intersection with the eastern terminus of Johnny Mercer Boulevard. Then, they cross over the Bull River and enter the property of the Fort Pulaski National Monument. US 80/SR 26 curves to the southeast and passes the entrance to the fort. The concurrency enters Tybee Island and meet their eastern terminus, an intersection with Butler Avenue, Tybrisa Street, and Inlet Avenue.National Highway System
The following portions of SR 26 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:- From its western terminus in Cusseta to the interchange with I-16 southeast of Montrose
- The portion between US 441 Byp./SR 117 and US 441/SR 29 in Dublin
- From the western end of the US 25/SR 67 concurrency in Hopeulikit to the US 301 Byp./SR 73 Byp. intersection in Statesboro
- From the I-95 interchange in Pooler to an indeterminate point in Tybee Island
History
1920s
SR 26 was established at least as early as 1919 from SR 1 in Cusseta through Buena Vista, Ellaville, Oglethorpe, Montezuma, Unadilla, Hawkinsville, Cochran, Dublin, Adrian, Swainsboro, Metter, and Statesboro, and ended in Savannah. By the end of 1921, SR 23 was extended onto the Graymont–Metter segment. SR 46 was established on a more northern path between Graymont and Statesboro. By the end of 1926, US 80 was designated on SR 26 from a point west-southwest of Dublin to Graymont and from Statesboro and Savannah, as well as on SR 46 between Graymont and Statesboro. The entire Chatham County portion had a "completed hard surface". The entire Bryan County portion had a "completed semi hard surface". Five segments had a "sand clay or top soil" surface: from Oglethorpe to Montezuma; a segment southwest of the Bleckley–Laurens county line; from the west end of the US 80 and SR 19 concurrencies to Dublin; the Graymont–Metter segment; and from Statesboro to the Bulloch–Bryan county line. The entire Effingham County portion was indicated to be under construction. By the end of 1929, a portion east of Swainsboro had a completed hard surface. Four segments had a sand clay or top soil surface: nearly the entire Marion County portion of the Cusseta–Buena Vista segment; a small portion on the Marion–Schley county line; a portion west-northwest of Graymont; and from just southwest of Statesboro to the approximate location of Stilson. Three segments of SR 26 were indicated to be under construction: from Dublin to just east of the Johnson–Emanuel county line; a portion east-southeast of Graymont; and nearly the entire Metter–Statesboro segment. A portion of US 80/SR 46 east-southeast of Graymont was also under construction, while nearly the entire Bulloch County portion of its path between Graymont and Hopeulikit had a sand clay or top soil surface.1930s
By the middle of 1930, an unnumbered road was built from Savannah to the northeastern part of Tybee Island. The Oglethorpe–Montezuma segment of SR 26 had a completed hard surface. Three segments of the highway had a sand clay or top soil surface: the entire Marion County portion of the Cusseta–Buena Vista segment; a portion just west of the Marion–Schley county line; and from the Candler–Bulloch county line to Statesboro. From Graymont to the Candler–Bulloch county line, the highway was under construction. By the end of the year, from Dublin to just west of the Laurens–Johnson county line, it had a completed hard surface. From Graymont to the Effingham–Chatham county line, it had a sand clay or top soil surface. From just east of the Emanuel–Bulloch county line to Statesboro, it was indicated to be under construction. Also, the Savannah–Tybee Island road was under construction. By the end of 1931, US 80's eastern terminus was truncated to Blitchton. Its old path on SR 26 was redesignated as part of US 280. Three segments had a completed hard surface: from Swainsboro to Graymont; from Statesboro to the approximate location of Stilson; and from the Bulloch–Bryan county line to Savannah, as well as the Graymont to Statesboro segment of US 80/SR 46 and the Savannah–Tybee Island road. Three segments were indicated to be under construction: a segment northeast of Hawkinsville; a segment west-southwest of Dublin; and from the approximate location of Stilson to the Bulloch–Bryan county line. In January 1932, SR 26 was shifted north onto the Graymont–Statesboro segment of US 80. SR 46 was shifted onto the Metter–Statesboro segment. The Statesboro–Blitchton segment had a completed hard surface. In March, a portion west of Hawkinsville was under construction. The next month, a portion northwest of Buena Vista had a sand clay or top soil surface. By the end of July, a portion of the highway northeast of Hawkinsville also had this type of surface. In August, the Emanuel County portion of the Dublin–Adrian segment was under construction. The next month, two segments were under construction: a portion east-northeast of Ellaville and nearly the entire Henderson–Hawkinsville segment. In October, from the west end of the US 80 and SR 19 concurrencies to Dublin, the highway had a completed hard surface. Nearly the entire Pulaski County portion of the Henderson–Hawkinsville segment had completed grading, but no surface course. A portion east-southeast of Buena Vista was under construction. By the end of April 1933, the entire Johnson County portion had a completed hard surface. The Schley County portion of the Ellaville–Oglethorpe segment had a sand clay or top soil surface. The Marion County portion of the Buena Vista–Ellaville segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced. Two segments were indicated to be under construction: the Houston County portion of the Henderson–Hawkinsville segment and a portion west-southwest of Swainsboro. In May, a small portion east of the Schley–Macon county line was under construction. In September, the Emanuel County portion of the Dublin–Swainsboro segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced. The next month, nearly the entire Macon County portion of the Ellaville–Oglethorpe segment also had this type of treatment. In March 1934, the Emanuel County portion of the Dublin–Swainsboro segment had a sand clay or top soil surface. A segment of the highway southeast of Buena Vista to west of Ellaville was under construction. Later that year, SR 26 was extended from Savannah to Tybee Island. Two segments had a completed hard surface: the Marion County portion of the Buena Vista–Ellaville segment and from east of Adrian to Swainsboro. The Pulaski County portion of the Henderson–Hawkinsville segment had a sand clay or top soil surface. The portion of the highway from the Johnson–Emanuel county line to a point east of Adrian was under construction. Before the year ended, two segments had a completed hard surface: nearly the entire Marion County portion of the Cusseta–Buena Vista segment and the Emanuel County portion of the Dublin–Swainsboro segment. Also, the Pulaski County portion of the Henderson–Hawkinsville segment had a completed semi hard surface. In the first quarter of 1935, nearly the entire Chattahoochee County portion of the Cusseta–Buena Vista segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced. By the middle of the year, nearly the entire Pulaski County portion of the Henderson–Hawkinsville segment had a completed hard surface. A portion east of Montezuma had completed grading, but was not surfaced. The central part of the Macon County portion of the Montezuma–Henderson segment was under construction. By October, two segments were indicated to be under construction: the Schley County portion of the Ellaville–Oglethorpe segment and a portion northeast of Hawkinsville. By the end of the year, SR 26 was shifted to a more direct path between Cusseta and Buena Vista. The eastern part of the former path was redesignated as an extended SR 103. From Cusseta to the new SR 103 intersection had completed grading, but was not surfaced. The segment from Ellaville to Oglethorpe had a completed hard surface. Late in 1936, two segments had a completed hard surface: from Buena Vista to Ellaville and from Henderson to Hawkinsville. From Cusseta to the SR 103 intersection, the highway had a sand clay or top soil surface. Two segments were under construction: a portion northeast of Cochran and a small portion in Chatham County. About a year later, nearly the entire Macon County portion of the Montezuma–Henderson segment had a completed hard surface. By the end of the year, US 80 was extended from Blitchton to Tybee Island. US 80/US 280/SR 26 was indicated to enter the western part of Savannah on Louisville Road. US 280 ended at US 17/SR 25. US 80/SR 26 turned right onto US 17/SR 25. They turned left onto 37th Street, right onto Bull Street, and left onto Victory Street. By the middle of 1939, the Bleckley County portion of the Hawkinsville–Cochran segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced.1940s to 1960s
In early 1940, the Hawkinsville–Cochran segment had a completed hard surface. By the end of the next year, US 280's eastern terminus was truncated to Blitchton. In 1942, the Laurens County portion of the Cochran–Dublin segment was under construction. The next year, a small portion at the western terminus had a completed hard surface. Also, the Laurens County portion of the Cochran–Dublin segment had completed grading, but was not surfaced. By the end of 1946, US 17/US 80/SR 25/SR 26 was indicated to enter Savannah on Bay Street. They turned right onto Montgomery Street. US 17/SR 25 and US 80/SR 26 split at the 37th Street intersection. US 80/SR 26 then continued as before. By the middle of 1950, the Cochran–Dublin segment was hard surfaced. In 1953, the Cusseta–Buena Vista segment was also hard surfaced. By June 1954, SR 17 was extended onto US 80/SR 26 to Tybee Island. By June 1955, US 17/US 80/SR 17/SR 25/SR 26 was split onto one-way streets. US 17 north/US 80 west/SR 17 north/SR 25 north/SR 26 west used Montgomery Street, while US 17 south/US 80 east/SR 17 south/SR 25 south/SR 26 east used West Broad Street. US 80 east/SR 17 south/SR 26 east turned left onto 37th Street and resumed their previous path. Between June 1960 and June 1963, US 80/SR 17/SR 26 no longer turned onto 37th Street and Bull Street. They turned directly onto Victory Street. By the end of 1965, SR 17 was truncated to a point west of Savannah. In 1967, US 80 Toll was established on Bay Street, President Street Extension, and Islands Expressway from US 17/US 80/SR 25/SR 26 to US 80/SR 26 in Whitemarsh Island.1980s to 2010s
In 1982, US 80 Toll was decommissioned. In 1985, I-516 was designated on SR 21 from the west end of the freeway to just west of Montgomery Street. US 17/SR 25 was designated on SR 21 from the west end of the freeway to Ogeechee Road. US 80/SR 26 was designated on SR 21 from Bay Street to Ogeechee Road. Upon departing I-516/SR 21, US 80/SR 26 traveled on US 17S to Abercorn Street, where US 17S ended. The next year, US 17S was decommissioned. In 1995, US 17 was shifted off of I-516/US 80/SR 21/SR 25/SR 26 north of I-16 and onto I-16 and SR 404 Spur. In 2017, it was planned to extended Jimmy DeLoach Parkway from its current southern terminus at US 80/SR 17/SR 26, partially along the path of Bloomingdale Road. Construction on the extension began in 2018.Future
The at-grade intersection at Jimmy DeLoach Parkway's current southern terminus is to be converted into a full diamond interchange. The extension of the parkway is planned to be designated as SR 1251 until it is opened. The former alignment of SR 17 is planned to be redesignated as SR 17 Spur. Also, the eastern end of Osteen Road, which lies on the right-of-way of the extension, is to be shifted to the west.Major intersections
Special routes
Hawkinsville spur route
State Route 26 Spur was a spur route of SR 26 that existed in the central part of Hawkinsville. It was entirely in the central part of Pulaski County. Between June 1963 and the end of 1965, it was established and paved from US 129 north/US 341 south/SR 27/SR 230/SR 257 to US 129 south/US 341 north/SR 26. Between the beginning of 1984 and the beginning of 1992, SR 26 Spur was decommissioned and redesignated as US 341 Truck/SR 230 Truck.Hartford connector route
State Route 26 Connector was a connecting route of SR 26 that existed in Hartford in the central part of Pulaski County. Between June 1963 and the end of 1965, it was established from US 129/US 341 north/SR 26/SR 27 south/SR 257 to US 341/SR 27. It was entirely concurrent with US 341 north/SR 27. Between the beginning of 1984 and the beginning of 1992, it was decommissioned.Garden City connector route
State Route 26 Connector is a connector route that exists entirely within the north-central part of Chatham County. The entire route is in the northeastern part of Garden City. It is known as Burnsed Boulevard for its entire length.It begins at an intersection with US 80/SR 26. The highway curves to the north-northeast until it meets its northern terminus, an interchange with I-516/SR 21/SR 25.
The entire length of SR 6 Conn. is part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense.
Between the beginning of 1977 and the end of 1985, SR 26 Conn. was established on its current path.
Savannah loop route
State Route 26 Loop was a loop route that existed entirely within the central part of Chatham County. Most of it was in the city limits of Savannah. All of its routing was later used for the route of I-516.Between June 1960 and June 1963, SR 26 Loop was established and paved on DeRenne Avenue from Montgomery Street to southeast of Savannah. It was proposed to be built from US 17/US 80/SR 17/SR 25/SR 26 on the northwestern edge of Savannah south-southwest to just south of US 17/SR 25 and then east-southeast to Montgomery Street. By the end of 1965, it was proposed to be extended from DeRenne Avenue/La Roche Avenue north-northeast to US 80/SR 26 west-northwest of Thunderbolt. In 1966, the loop was under construction from Augusta Avenue to Liberty Parkway. It was completed from Liberty Parkway to Montgomery Street. The next year, the segment from Liberty Parkway to I-16 was indicated to "open spring '68". In 1968, SR 26 Loop was open from I-16 to Liberty Parkway. In 1970, the loop was open from Augusta Avenue to I-16. It was proposed to be extended to US 17/US 80/SR 25/SR 26 southeast of Fair Street. In 1977, this extension was open. In 1978, it was redesignated as part of an eastern extension of SR 21.