U.S. Route 76 in Georgia

U.S. Highway 76
Route of US 76 in Georgia in red
Route information
Maintained by GDOT
Length:	150.7 mi[1] (242.5 km)
Existed:	1926 – present
Major junctions
West end:	US 41 / US 76 / SR 8 at the Tennessee state line in East Ridge
	I‑75 near Ringgold I‑75 near Dalton US 41 / SR 3 / SR 52 in Dalton US 411 / SR 2 / SR 61 in Chatsworth US 411 / SR 61 / SR 282 in Ramhurst SR 2 / SR 5 / SR 515 in Ellijay US 19 / US 129 / SR 11 in Blairsville SR 17 / SR 515 near Young Harris US 23 / US 441 / SR 15 in Clayton
East end:	US 76 at the South Carolina state line northwest of Westminster
Location
Counties:	Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, Union, Towns, Rabun
Highway system
United States Numbered Highway System List Bannered Divided Replaced Georgia State Routes Interstate U.S. State Former ← SR 75 SR 77 →

U.S. Route 76 (US 76) is an 150.7-mile-long (242.5 km) east–west U.S. highway in the U.S. state of Georgia. It begins at the Tennessee state line, east of Lakeview, Georgia (and in East Ridge, Tennessee), where the roadway continues concurrent with US-41/SR-8 toward Chattanooga. It ends at the South Carolina state line, where US 76 continues toward Anderson. In Georgia, the highway travels within portions of Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, Union, Towns, and Rabun counties. It travels through North Georgia and connects Ringgold, Dalton, Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Clayton. Most of the highway is part of the Lookout Mountain Scenic Highway, a highway that travels through northern Georgia and through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.

Route description

US 76 traverses the northern part of the state and passes through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and Georgia's most mountainous region. US 76 passes through Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, Union, Towns, and Rabun counties.

History

1920s

The road that would eventually be designated as US 76 was established at least as early as 1919 as part of SR 3 from the Tennessee state line to Dalton, and SR 2 from Dalton to Clayton, and possibly farther to the east.^[2] Georgia's 1921 state map didn't show the Chatsworth–Blairsville segment of SR 2. However, it did show SR 2 on a proposed path from Clayton to Pine Mountain. It also showed SR 65 proposed along the current path of SR 28 from Pine Mountain to the South Carolina state line.^[2][3] By the end of 1926, SR 2 was paved from Blue Ridge to a point about halfway between there and Blairsville. Also, the proposed section, east of Clayton, was removed from the map^[3][4]

1930s

By the beginning of 1932, SR 3 was paved from the Tennessee state line to Dalton. US 41 was established along this segment. SR 2 was paved from Blairsville to Hiawassee. SR 2 was built from Chatsworth to Ellijay. SR 5 was designated along the Ellijay–Blue Ridge segment.^[5][6] In January, SR 2/SR 5 were paved from about Cherry Log to Blue Ridge.^[6][7] By August, SR 2 was built from Clayton to the South Carolina state line on its current alignment.^[8][9] By January 1935, US 76 was designated along SR 2 from Chatsworth to Blairsville and from just east of Hiawassee to Clayton. It is unclear if US 76 was designated between Blairsville and the Hiawassee area or east of Clayton.^[10][11] Between July and October, US 76/SR 2/SR 5 were paved from Ellijay to Cherry Log.^[12][13] By October 1936, US 76/SR 2 were paved from Dalton to Chatsworth.^[14][15] At the end of the year, there were two small sections of US 76/SR 2 just west of Blairsville and just west of Clayton, that were paved.^[15][16] By the middle of January 1938, a very small section, in the vicinity of Lake Burton, was paved.^[17][18] The middle of the next year had the section of US 76/SR 2 from the Fanning–Union county line to Blairsville was paved.^[19][20] Later that year, a small section of US 76/SR 2, from just east of Lake Burton to Clayton, was paved.^[20][21]

1940s

In the beginning of 1940, the paved section near Lake Burton was expanded slightly.^[22][23] By October, US 76/SR 2 were paved from east of the location of the current SR 197 intersection to Clayton.^[23][24] At the end of the year, US 76/SR 2 were paved from Hiawassee to the approximate location of where the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway today.^[24][25] In 1946, US 76 was designated along SR 2 from Dalton to Chatsworth.^[26][27] By the middle of 1948, SR 2 was paved from Clayton to about halfway between there and the South Carolina state line.^[27][28] The beginning of the next year found US 76 was designated along the section of SR 3 from Ringgold to Dalton. SR 2 was moved to an alignment near the Tennessee state line, traveling through modern-day Varnell and Crandall. SR 52 took its place between Dalton and Ellijay (it already was concurrent with SR 3 from the Ringgold area to Dalton and SR 5 from Ellijay to Blue Ridge). The entire section of US 76/SR 52, from Chatsworth to Ellijay, was paved.^[28][29]

1950s to 1980s

US Route 76 in Whitfield County, Georgia

By the end of 1950, US 76/SR 2 were paved from Hiawassee to just east of the Towns–Rabun county line. Also, SR 2 was paved from Clayton to the South Carolina state line.^[29][30] By the middle of 1954, the entire length of roadway, from Tennessee to South Carolina, was paved.^[31][32] 1957 found SR 282 built along the current path of US 76, but only from the Murray–Gilmer county line to Ellijay.^[33][34] By 1966, US 76 was designated along US 41/SR 3 from Tennessee to Dalton.^[35][36] In 1969, SR 282 was extended west to an intersection with US 411/SR 61 southeast of Ramhurst.^[37][38] In 1971, US 76/SR 52 were rerouted west of Chatsworth. Before, they bypassed Spring Place. Northwest of the town, they were routed south into town and entered Chatsworth farther south than it previously did. The former route was redesignated as SR 52 Connector.^[39][40] In 1981, US 76 was rerouted between Chatsworth and Ellijay. In Chatsworth, US 76 turned south-southeast, along US 411/SR 61. In Ramhurst, it turned east onto a slightly re-routed SR 282 and followed that route to Ellijay.^[41][42] In 1987, US 76/SR 2 between Hemp and Blairsville was routed on a farther-north, and more direct, path.^[43][44] In 1989, SR 515 was signed along US 76 from East Ellijay to northeast of Young Harris, as it is today.^[45][46]

Major intersections

County	Location	mi[1]	km	Destinations	Notes
Catoosa	East Ridge, TN	0.0	0.0	US 41 north / US 76 west (Ringgold Road / SR-8 north) – Chattanooga	Tennessee state line
	​	0.7	1.1	SR 146 west (Cloud Springs Road) – Rossville
	Ringgold	6.3	10.1	SR 2 west (Battlefield Parkway) – Fort Oglethorpe	West end of SR 2 overlap
		7.0	11.3	SR 151 south to I‑75 – LaFayette	west end of SR 151 overlap
		7.8	12.6	US 41 Truck south / US 76 Truck east / SR 151 north (Tennessee Street)	east end of SR 151 overlap
				US 41 Truck north / US 76 Truck west / SR 151 Spur north (Evitt Street)
	​	10.2	16.4	SR 2 east	East end of SR 2 overlap
	Sugartown	11.2	18.0	I‑75 (SR 401) – Atlanta, Chattanooga	I-75 exit 345
Whitfield	Tunnel Hill	15.2	24.5	SR 201 north (Tunnel Hill Church Street) – Varnell	west end of SR 201 overlap
	Rocky Face	17.6	28.3	SR 201 south (Lafayette Road) – Mount Vernon, Villanow	east end of SR 201 overlap
	Dalton	20.1	32.3	I‑75 – Chattanooga, Atlanta	I-75 exit 336
		22.6	36.4	SR 71 north (Cleveland Highway) – Cohutta, Dalton
	​	26.1	42.0	US 41 south / SR 3 south (South Dalton Bypass) / SR 52 west (Walnut Avenue) to I‑75 south – Dalton	east end of US 41 / SR 3 overlap; west end of SR 52 overlap
	​	27.5	44.3	SR 286 east (Lower Dawnville Road) – Dawnville, Eton
Murray	​	29.6	47.6	SR 52 Alt. east – Fort Mountain State Park
	Chatsworth	31.3	50.4	SR 225 – Cleveland, Calhoun, Vann House Historic Site
		34.4	55.4	US 411 north / SR 2 west / SR 61 north (North Third Avenue) – Eton	west end of US 411 / SR 2 / SR 61 overlap
		35.8	57.6	SR 2 east / SR 52 east / SR 52 Alt. west (Fort Street) – Dalton, Ellijay, Fort Mountain State Park, Vann House Historic Site	East end of SR 2/SR 52 overlap
	Ramhurst	41.0	66.0	US 411 south / SR 61 south – Cartersville, Fairmount	east end of US 411 / SR 61 overlap; west end of SR 282 overlap
	​	43.6	70.2	Old Highway 411
Gilmer	East Ellijay			SR 2 west	west end of SR 2 overlap
		60.9	98.0	SR 5 south / SR 515 south	east end of SR 282 overlap; west end of SR 5 / SR 515 overlap
see SR 515 (mile 24.9-75.0)
Towns	​	111.1	178.8	SR 17 north / SR 515 north (Hayesville Road) – Hayesville, NC	east end of SR 515 overlap; west end of SR 17 overlap
	Friendship	113.3	182.3	SR 288 east – Lake Chatuge Recreation Area
	Hiawassee	115.3	185.6	SR 75 north (Bellcreek Road) – Franklin, NC	west end of SR 75 overlap
	​	118.4	190.5	SR 288 west – Lake Chatuge Recreation Area
	Macedonia	118.6	190.9	SR 17 south / SR 75 south (Unicoi Turnpike) – Helen, Brasstown Bald, Gainesville, Cleveland, Unicoi State Park	east end of SR 17 / SR 75 overlap
Rabun	​	131.4	211.5	SR 197 south – Clarkesville, Helen, Moccasin Creek State Park, Unicoi State Park
	Clayton	142.4	229.2	US 23 north / US 441 north / SR 15 north – Mountain City, Dillard, Franklin, NC	west end of US 23 / US 441 / SR 15 overlap
		142.7	229.7	US 23 south / US 441 south / SR 15 south – Tallulah Falls, Clarkesville	east end of US 23 / US 441 / SR 15 overlap
	​	150.7	242.5	US 76 east – Westminster	South Carolina state line
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Concurrency terminus

Bannered routes

Ringgold truck route

U.S. Highway 76 Truck
Location:	Ringgold, Georgia

U.S. Route 76 Truck is a short truck detour around a low railroad bridge in Ringgold, Georgia, which is also overlapped by U.S. Route 41 Truck. The route begins at the east end of the overlap with State Route 151 (SR 151) along Tennessee Street, then turns right along High Street (SR 151 Spur), overlapping that route for the rest of its journey. After crossing the aforementioned railroad lines US 41 Truck/76/GA 151 Spur turns right onto Evitt Street, curving around the Catoosa County Fire House near Kittle Street. The fire department property ends across from Vermont Street, and the truck routes finally end at US 41/US 76/SR 2/SR 3.

See also

• Georgia (U.S. state) portal
• U.S. Roads portal

References

1. Google (February 16, 2013). "U.S. Route 76 in Georgia" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
2. Key Map System of State and Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1920. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
3. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. September 23, 1921. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
4. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1926. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
5. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1929. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
6. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1932. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
7. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. February 1, 1932. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
8. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. May 1, 1932. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
9. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. August 1, 1932. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
10. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1934. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
11. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1935. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
12. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. July 1, 1935. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
13. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1935. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
14. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. July 1, 1936. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
15. Georgia State Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1936. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
16. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1937. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
17. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1937. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
18. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Board of Georgia. January 15, 1938. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
19. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. July 1, 1938. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
20. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. July 1, 1939. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
21. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1939. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
22. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1940. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
23. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. April 1, 1940. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
24. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. October 1, 1940. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
25. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1941. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
26. System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. January 1, 1945. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
27. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. November 7, 1946. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
28. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. February 28, 1948. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
29. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. April 1, 1949. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
30. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. August 1, 1950. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
31. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. September 1, 1953. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
32. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. June 1, 1954. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
33. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. June 1, 1955. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
34. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. July 1, 1957. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
35. State of Georgia System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department of Georgia. June 1, 1963. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
36. Georgia State Highway System and Connections (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department. January 1, 1966. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
37. Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department. January 1, 1969. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
38. Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department. January 1, 1970. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
39. Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department. January 1, 1971. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
40. Official Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. State Highway Department. January 1, 1972. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
41. Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. Georgia Department of Transportation. March 1, 1980. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
42. Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. Georgia Department of Transportation. January 1, 1982. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
43. Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. Georgia Department of Transportation. January 1, 1987. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
44. Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. Georgia Department of Transportation. January 1, 1988. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
45. Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. Georgia Department of Transportation. January 1, 1989. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
46. Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by GSHD. Georgia Department of Transportation. January 1, 1990. Retrieved May 16, 2014.

External links

• Media related to U.S. Route 76 at Wikimedia Commons