More than one million official 2008 State Highway maps are to be distributed beginning this week across Georgia, the State Transportation Board was told Thursday.

The bulk of the maps will be utilized by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (DEcD) for distribution via the state’s Welcome Centers. Others will be retained by the Georgia Department of Transportation to fulfill requests from the general public. Individual maps are provided at no charge.

The map has undergone major updates, according to Paul Tanner, Assistant Transportation Data Administrator for the Department. New features on the map include symbols identifying Hurricane Evacuation Routes, Toll Roads (Georgia Highway 400) and Amtrak Rail Stations in Georgia.

In addition, Tanner said two newly designated Scenic Byways – the I-185 Scenic Byway and the Warren County-Piedmont Scenic Byway Extension – have been added to the map, with their mileage and location added to the index. The state now has 12 Scenic Byways.

For 2008, the maps feature 1,205 cities, towns and communities, with their locations both on the map and noted in the index. Tanner explained that all the communities removed from the 2006 map have been restored to this year’s map. An inset of the Atlanta Downtown Connector has also been added to the map.

The 2008 map features photographs of historic or scenic sites from each of Georgia’s 13 Congressional Districts, selected by board members. The cover of the map is a photograph of a fisherman on Lake Lanier at dawn; the photo was taken by 16-year-old Olivia Anne Hartley of Gainesville as part of a school project.

Board Chairman Mike Evans of Cumming, representing the Ninth Congressional District, selected the photo to represent his district, and the full Board voted last fall to use the photo as the cover shot.

At Thursday’s meeting, the Board adopted a resolution honoring Miss Hartley, a student at North Hall High School, for her photographic achievement. She is the daughter of Dan and Julie Hartley of Gainesville and she was present to accept the recognition.

The Board Thursday also adopted a resolution honoring the late Hal Rives, a 38-year Georgia DOT employee who was Commissioner of the Department from 1987-1991. Mr. Rives died in May 2007. On hand to receive the honor was Barbara Rives, his widow, and son Jack and his wife Eve.

In a Wednesday session, the Board’s Intermodal Committee heard a presentation on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Commuter Rail Study. Committee Chair Larry Walker of Perry, representing the Eighth Congressional District, lauded the work but noted that the Department cannot pursue a rail line until the line’s operating funds are clearly identified.

Office of Communications – Georgia DOT – No. 2 Capitol Square – Atlanta, GA 30334 – (404) 656-5267 – Fax: (404) 463-6453

The Board meets the third Thursday and the preceding Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be held Feb. 20-21 at Georgia DOT headquarters, No. 2 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, GA 30334.