POOLER, Ga. — A sweeping conceptual transportation improvement plan for Pooler calls for an estimated $600 million to $700 million in roadway projects, including wider highways, major interchange redesigns and multiple three-lane roundabouts aimed at tackling the city’s growing traffic problems.
The proposal outlines a tentative construction period beginning in 2029, with an overall projected completion around 2034. The documents repeatedly describe the projects as proposed or conceptual, meaning the designs, funding and construction schedules could change before work begins.
Pooler has experienced significant residential and commercial growth while transportation infrastructure has struggled to keep pace.
The city’s existing planning documents also identify transportation as a major component of its long-term growth strategy, and Pooler is currently updating its comprehensive plan.
City of Pooler Georgia
Pooler Parkway at I-95
One of the most significant proposals would reshape the heavily traveled Pooler Parkway and Interstate 95 area.
The plan calls for a three-lane roundabout near the interchange designed to increase capacity, reduce backups and improve access to I-95.
Pooler Parkway would also be expanded into a six-lane corridor from Airways Avenue through the Pooler area to Quacco Road at East Haven Boulevard, creating substantially more east-west capacity.
Pooler is already working on transportation improvements in this general corridor.
The city held a public hearing earlier this year on improvements from the I-95 ramps through the Benton Boulevard intersection, including additional lanes and signal changes.
City of Pooler Georgia
Pooler Parkway at I-16
The southern end of the corridor would also undergo a major redesign.
A three-lane roundabout is proposed at I-16 and Pooler Parkway, with the goal of improving circulation around the interchange and creating a more efficient connection between Pooler Parkway, I-16, I-95 and surrounding roads.
U.S. Highway 80
Another major component would transform U.S. Highway 80.
The conceptual plan calls for U.S. 80 to be widened to six lanes from Dean Forest Road to Jimmy DeLoach Parkway.
The U.S. 80 and I-95 interchange would also be rebuilt as a diverging diamond interchange, a configuration intended to improve interstate access, reduce conflicting traffic movements and accommodate additional traffic.
Benton Boulevard
Benton Boulevard would be widened from Pooler Parkway to the State Route 30 roundabout.
The proposal also calls for extending the corridor to Blue Jay Road, giving motorists another north-south route through the rapidly growing area north of Pooler.
The connection would tie into the broader regional transportation network near the Effingham Parkway corridor, which extends toward Blue Jay Road.
Tanger Outlets Area
Traffic surrounding Pooler’s major retail district would also receive significant attention.
The plan proposes a four-lane roadway connection involving Park Avenue, Pooler Parkway and Tanger Outlets Boulevard.
The goal would be to give motorists more ways to enter and leave the commercial district while reducing pressure on Pooler Parkway, particularly around the Tanger Outlets and surrounding shopping areas.
Jimmy DeLoach Parkway Could Reach Eight Lanes
One of the largest projects included in the proposal involves Jimmy DeLoach Parkway.
The roadway would be expanded to eight lanes from Bourne Avenue to Interstate 16, creating a major high-capacity corridor for commuter, residential, commercial and freight traffic.
A three-lane roundabout is also proposed at Jimmy DeLoach Parkway and I-95.
Jimmy DeLoach Parkway already plays an important role in the region’s freight transportation system, connecting the Savannah-area road network with routes serving the Port of Savannah.
$600-$700 Million Investment
The documents estimate the entire conceptual transportation program would cost approximately $600 million to $700 million.
A project of that size would require coordination among local, state and federal transportation agencies as well as engineering work, environmental reviews, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and permitting before individual projects could move into construction.
Funding sources for the full proposal have not been identified in the material provided.
The plan currently lists 2029 as the proposed beginning of construction and 2034 as the projected completion, although individual projects could begin or finish at different times depending on funding, engineering, permitting and other requirements.
For Pooler residents accustomed to heavy congestion around I-95, Pooler Parkway, Highway 80 and the city’s commercial corridors, the proposal represents a potentially dramatic overhaul of the transportation system — but the projects remain conceptual and would still have to move through multiple stages before becoming reality.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
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