State Route 23 (SR 23) is a 240.0-mile-long (386.2 km) state highway that travels south-to-north through portions of Charlton, Brantley, Wayne, Long, Tattnall, Candler, Emanuel, Jenkins, and Burke counties in the southeastern and east-central parts of the U.S. state of Georgia. The highway connects the Florida state line, south-southwest of Saint George with the southern part of the Augusta metropolitan area, via Folkston, Nahunta, Jesup, Ludowici, Glennville, Reidsville, Metter, Twin City, and Millen.

State Route 23 marker
State Route 23
Map
SR 23 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by GDOT
Length240 mi[1] (390 km)
Existed1919[2]–present
Major junctions
South end SR 121 and SR 121 at the Florida state line southwest of Saint George
Major intersections
North end SR 56 south of Augusta
Location
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountiesCharlton, Brantley, Wayne, Long, Tattnall, Candler, Emanuel, Jenkins, Burke
Highway system
  • Georgia State Highway System
US 23 I-24

SR 23's original segment was from Statesboro to Millen. It was shifted westward and was incrementally extended in both directions to each of its current termini.

Route description

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Florida to Reidsville

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Georgia State Route 23 and 121 just before the intersection with GA 94 in Saint George, Georgia.

SR 23 begins at the Florida state line west-northwest of the southernmost point in the state, in Charlton County. South-southeast of here, the roadway continues as State Road 121, which travels to Macclenny, Florida. North of here, SR 23 travels concurrent with SR 121 on Okefenokee Parkway. Almost immediately, they meet the southern end of SR 185. A short distance later, the two highways curve to the northeast. Then, they curve to the north-northwest and enter Saint George. In town, they have an intersection with SR 94 (Moniac Road). The concurrent highways continue to the north, through rural areas of the county and then curve to the northeast. After that, they enter Folkston, to an intersection with US 1/US 23/US 301/SR 4/SR 15 (2nd Street North). The seven highways travel to the north concurrently. Along the Folkston–Homeland city line, which travels through the large intersection, US 301/SR 23 continue straight ahead, while US 1/US 23/SR 4/SR 15 travel to the northwest. Then, US 301/SR 23 gradually curve to the north and enter Brantley County. The concurrency enters Nahunta, where it intersects US 82/SR 520 (Cleveland Street). Then, they intersect SR 32 in Hortense, just before entering Wayne County. Just before entering Jesup, they pass by Jesup–Wayne County Airport and Pine Forest Country Club. In town, they intersect US 25/US 341/SR 27 (East Cherry Street). At this intersection, US 25 joins the concurrency. The three highways curve to the northwest and intersect US 84/SR 38 (North 1st Street), which join the concurrency. Immediately, the five highways travel north and then leave town. Just under 3 miles (4.8 km) later, they curve to the northeast. Then, they pass by an industrial waste pond of Rayonier just before crossing over the Altamaha River into Long County. In Ludowici, they intersect SR 57 (Mc Donald Street). At this intersection, US 84/SR 38 split off to the northeast on Cypress Street, while US 25/US 301/SR 23/SR 57 travel to the northwest. The concurrent highways begin a curve to the north and cross over Beards Creek into Tattnall County. After they meet the western end of SR 196, they curve to the northeast and enter Glennville. At Barnard Street, they intersect SR 144, and SR 23/SR 57 split off to the northwest. A little over 2,000 feet (610 m) later, SR 144 splits off to the west on Hencart Road, while SR 23/SR 57 pass by Kicks Playland and leave town. To the northwest, they intersect SR 169. A little farther along, SR 121 rejoins the concurrency. The three highways enter Reidsville.

Reidsville to northern end

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In Reidsville, SR 23/SR 57/SR 121 intersect US 280/SR 30 (Brazell Street). Before leaving town, they curve north. After that, they curve to the northeast and enter Collins, where they intersect SR 292 (Manassas Street). SR 23/SR 57/SR 121 curve to the north and enter Cobbtown. In town, they meet the eastern end of SR 152 (New Cobbtown Road). Approximately 400 feet (120 m) later, SR 57 continues straight ahead, while SR 23/SR 121 curve to the northeast and leave town just before entering Candler County. In Metter, they have an interchange with Interstate 16 (I-16; Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway). In the main part of town, they intersect SR 46 (Broad Street). At this intersection, SR 23 splits off to the west, concurrent with SR 46 for a few blocks, while SR 121 continues straight ahead. At College Street, SR 23 splits off to the north and gradually curves to the northwest. It passes Candler County Hospital. Just after leaving town, it passes Willow Lake Golf Club and Byrd Cemetery. Farther to the northwest, the highway enters Emanuel County and crosses into the city limits of Twin City. In town, is an intersection with SR 192. At this intersection, SR 23 turns to the right and travels to the northeast. Then, it intersects US 80/SR 26. Just before leaving town, the route passes by Twin City Cemetery. After traveling through Garfield, it enters Jenkins County. The highway passes through rural areas of the county, curves to the east, and intersects US 25/SR 67/SR 121. The four highways head concurrently to the north. Then, they curve to the northeast and cross over the Ogeechee River just before entering Millen. In town, they intersect SR 17 Byp. (South Gray Street), which joins the concurrency. The five highways curve north and intersect SR 17 (West Winthrope Avenue). At this intersection, SR 17 Byp. meets its northern end and US 25/SR 121 continue straight ahead, while SR 23/SR 67 turn right and follow SR 17 south. At Masonic Street, SR 17 and SR 23 split off to different directions, while SR 67 continues to the east. At Jordan Avenue, SR 23 curves to the northeast. Just after leaving town, it intersects SR 21 (Millen Bypass). Farther to the north, it crosses over Beaverdam Creek into Burke County. In Sardis, it intersects SR 24 (Charles Perry Avenue). In Girard, the highway begins a northwesterly routing. The highway enters Shell Bluff, where it intersects SR 80. Then, it passes Hagler Lake before meeting its northern end, an intersection with SR 56, just south of Augusta.[1]

National Highway System

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The following portions of SR 23 part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense:

  • The Folkston–Homeland segment (concurrent with US 1/US 23/US 301/SR 4/SR 15)[3]
  • The Jesup–Ludowici segment (mostly concurrent with US 84/US 301/SR 38)[3]
  • The section concurrent with US 25/SR 67/SR 121 southwest of Millen and into the city[3]

History

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1920s

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SR 23 was established at least as early as 1919 on a different alignment than it travels today. It extended from SR 26 in Statesboro to SR 21 in Millen. At this time, SR 38 was established on SR 23's current path from Jesup to Ludowici. Also, an unnumbered road was established from SR 30 in Reidsville to SR 26 in Metter.[2] By the end of September 1921, the original path of SR 23 from Statesboro to Millen was shifted westward, to travel from SR 26 in Metter to SR 21 in Millen; this placed SR 23 on a concurrency with SR 26 from Metter to Graymont, the old name of Twin City. SR 23's former path was redesignated as portions of SR 46 and SR 67. SR 23 was extended southward to SR 30 in Reidsville, with a very brief concurrency with SR 30 there, then southeast to SR 25 in Darien.[2][4] By October 1926, SR 38's crossing over the Altamaha River, between Jesup and Ludowici, was indicated to have "no bridge or ferry". Also, US 17 was designated on SR 25 in Darien.[4][5]

1930s

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In the second half of 1930, US 25 designated on SR 23 south-southwest of Millen.[6][7] By the beginning of 1932, SR 38's crossing over Altamaha River was indicated to have a bridge. US 280 was designated on the portion of SR 23 in Reidsville.[7][8] In April 1932, the path of SR 23 from Darien to Ludowici was shifted southwestward. SR 23 then extended southwest on SR 38 from Ludowici to Jesup, then on a sole path south-southwest to US 1/SR 4 in Folkston. The former path of SR 23 was redesignated as SR 99.[9][10] In the first quarter of 1937, the southern terminus of SR 23 was extended west-southwest from Folkston and south to Saint George.[11][12] At the end of the year, it was extended again: south-southwest to the Florida state line.[13][14] The next year, SR 23 was truncated to SR 94 in Saint George.[14][15] By the middle of 1939, US 25 designated on the Jesup–Glennville segment. Also, the northern terminus of SR 23 was extended northeast to SR 24 in Sardis.[15][16] At least as early as 1939, an unnumbered road was established northeast from Sardis to Girard, then northwest to SR 56 north-northeast of Waynesboro.[17]

1940s to 1980s

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At the end of 1940, SR 23's southern terminus was re-extended south-southwest to the Florida state line.[18][19] Between November 1946 and February 1948, US 301 was designated on the Folkston–Glennville segment.[20][21] Between July 1957 and June 1960, SR 23 was extended on this road. At this time, the entire length of the highway was paved.[22][23] By June 1963, SR 121 was extended on the path of SR 23 from Homeland to the Florida state line. SR 121 was also designated on SR 23 from southeast of Reidsville to Metter.[23][24] In 1985, SR 57 was designated on SR 23 from Ludowici to Cobbtown.[25][26]

Major intersections

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CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Baker 
 
SR 121 south – Macclenny
Continuation of roadway into Florida
Florida state line0.00.0Southern end of SR 121 concurrency; southern terminus of SR 23 and SR 121 at a crossing of the St. Marys River
Charlton0.40.64 
 
SR 185 north – Moniac
Southern terminus of SR 185
Saint George13.221.2  SR 94 (Moniac Road) – Moniac, Fargo, Crawford
Folkston36.658.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 1 south / US 23 south / US 301 south / SR 4 south / SR 15 south – Hilliard, Jacksonville
Southern end of US 1/US 23/SR 4/SR 15 and US 301 concurrencies
 
 
SR 40 Conn. east (Cross Street) – Kingsland, White Oak, D. Ray James Prison
Western terminus of SR 40 Conn.
FolkstonHomeland line38.762.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 1 north / US 23 north / SR 4 north / SR 15 north / SR 121 north – Waycross
Northern end of US 1/US 23/SR 4/SR 15 and SR 121 concurrencies; interchange
BrantleyNahunta62.199.9   
 
US 82 / SR 520 (South Georgia Parkway) to I-95 (SR 405) – Waycross, Brunswick, Laura S. Walker State Park
Hortense71.5115.1  SR 32 – Patterson, Brunswick
WayneJesup90.2145.2 
 
   
 
US 25 south / US 341 / SR 27 (Cherry Street) to I-95 (SR 405) – Downtown Jesup, Brunswick, Altamaha Tech
Southern end of US 25 concurrency
92.6149.0 
 
 
 
US 84 west / SR 38 west – Business District
Southern end of US 84/SR 38 concurrency; no northbound exit; interchange
Altamaha River95.8154.2Dr. J. Alvin Leaphart Sr. Memorial Bridge
LongLudowici102164 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 84 east / SR 38 east / SR 57 south (McDonald Street) to I-95 (SR 405) – Hinesville, Darien, Ludowici Well Pavilion Historic Site
Northern end of US 84/SR 38 concurrency; southern end of SR 57 concurrency
Tattnall122196 
 
SR 196 east – Hinesville
Western terminus of SR 196
Glennville123198 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US 25 north / US 301 north / SR 73 north (Veterans Boulevard) / SR 144 east (Barnard Street) – Claxton, Fort Stewart
Northern end of US 25 and US 301 concurrencies; southern end of SR 144 concurrency; southern terminus of SR 73
124200 
 
SR 144 west (Hencart Road) – Baxley
Northern end of SR 144 concurrency
127204  SR 169 (Mendes Highway) – Jesup, Bellville
135217 
 
SR 121 south – Jesup, Blackshear
Southern end of SR 121 concurrency
Reidsville139224   US 280 / SR 30 (Brazell Street) – Lyons, Claxton
Collins145233  SR 292 (Manassas Street) – Lyons, Claxton
Cobbtown152245 
 
SR 152 west (New Cobbtown Road) – Lyons
Eastern terminus of SR 152
153246 
 
SR 57 north – Stillmore, Swainsboro
Northern end of SR 57 concurrency
CandlerMetter160260  I-16 (Jim L. Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway / SR 404) – Macon, SavannahI-16/SR 404 exit 104
162261 
 
 
 
SR 46 east (Broad Street) / SR 121 north (Lewis Street) – Statesboro, Millen
Northern end of SR 121 concurrency; southern end of SR 46 concurrency
162261 
 
SR 46 west (Broad Street) – Soperton
Northern end of SR 46 concurrency
EmanuelTwin City177285 
 
SR 23 Spur north (Fifth Avenue) – Summertown, Swainsboro
Southern terminus of SR 23 Spur
177.5285.7   US 80 / SR 26 – Swainsboro, Statesboro
Jenkins194.3312.7 
 
 
 
 
 
US 25 south / SR 67 south / SR 121 south – Metter, Statesboro
Southern end of US 25/SR 121 and SR 67 concurrencies
Millen197.1317.2 
 
SR 17 Byp. east (South Gray Street) – Scarboro
Southern end of SR 17 Byp. concurrency
197.8318.3 
 
 
 
 
 
US 25 north / SR 121 north (Statesboro Road) / SR 17 west (West Winthrope Avenue) – Waynesboro, Midville, Magnolia Springs State Park
Northern end of US 25/SR 121 and SR 17 Byp. concurrencies; southern end of SR 17 concurrency
198.5319.5 
 
SR 17 east (Masonic Street) – Rocky Ford, Savannah
Northern end of SR 17 concurrency
198.5319.5 
 
SR 67 north (East Winthrope Avenue) – Sylvania
Northern end of SR 67 concurrency
200.0321.9  SR 21 – Waynesboro, Sylvania
BurkeSardis214.9345.8  SR 24 (Charles Perry Avenue) – Waynesboro, Sylvania
Shell Bluff234.3377.1  SR 80 – Waynesboro
240.0386.2  SR 56 – Waynesboro, AugustaNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Special routes

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Glennville connector route

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State Route 23 Connector
LocationGlennville
Existed1949[21][27]–1985[25][26]

State Route 23 Connector (SR 23 Conn.) was a connector route of SR 23 that existed entirely within the city limits of Glennville. Between February 1948 and April 1949, it was established from SR 23 in the northwestern part of the city to US 25/US 301/SR 73 in the northern part of the city.[21][27] In 1985, this connector was decommissioned.[25][26]

The entire route was in Glennville, Tattnall County.

mikmDestinationsNotes
  SR 23Western terminus
    US 25 / US 301 / SR 73Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Twin City spur route

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State Route 23 Spur
LocationTwin City
Length0.089 mi[28] (143 m)
Existed1952[29][30]–present

State Route 23 Spur (SR 23 Spur) is a 472-foot-long (144 m) spur route of SR 23 that exists entirely within the southeastern part of Emanuel County and travels completely within the city limits of Twin City. The highway is known as 5th Avenue for its entire length.

It begins at an intersection with the SR 23 mainline in the southwestern part of town. It travels one block to meet its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 192.[28]

SR 23 Spur is not part of the National Highway System, a system of roadways important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.[3]

Between the beginning of 1940 and the beginning of 1953, SR 23 Spur was established from SR 23 at what is its current southern terminus to US 80/SR 26.[29][30] By the beginning of 1975, it was truncated to its current length. Its former path was redesignated as a western rerouting of SR 192. The former path of SR 192 was redesignated as SR 192 Spur.[30][31]

The entire route is in Twin City, Emanuel County.

mi[28]kmDestinationsNotes
0.0000.000  SR 23 (5th Avenue south / Elm Street east) – Metter, MillenSouthern terminus; SR 23 takes on the 5th Avenue name.
0.0890.143  SR 192 (South Railroad Avenue south / 5th Avenue north) – Stillmore, Summertown, SwainsboroNorthern terminus; SR 192 takes on the 5th Avenue name.
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Overview map of SR 23 (Southern terminus to Twin City)" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
    "Overview map of SR 23 (Twin City to northern terminus)" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c State Highway Department of Georgia (1920). System of State Aid Roads as Approved Representing 4800 Miles of State Aid Roads Outside the Limits of the Incorporated Towns (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d National Highway System: Georgia (PDF) (Map). Federal Highway Administration. May 8, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  4. ^ a b State Highway Department of Georgia (1921). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  5. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (October 1926). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  6. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (June 1930). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  7. ^ a b State Highway Department of Georgia (November 1930). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  8. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1932). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  9. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (April 1932). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  10. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (May 1932). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  11. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1, 1937). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  12. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (April 1, 1937). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  13. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (October 1, 1937). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  14. ^ a b Georgia State Highway Board (January 1, 1938). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  15. ^ a b State Highway Department of Georgia (September 1, 1938). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  16. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (July 1, 1939). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  17. ^ Georgia Department of Transportation (1940). General Highway Map: Burke County, Georgia (Map). Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation – via GDOT Maps.
  18. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (October 1, 1940). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  19. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1, 1941). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  20. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (1946). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017. (Corrected to November 7, 1946.)
  21. ^ a b c State Highway Department of Georgia (1948). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017. (Corrected to February 28, 1948.)
  22. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (1957). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017. (Corrected to July 1, 1957.)
  23. ^ a b State Highway Department of Georgia (1960). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map) (1960–1961 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017. (Corrected to June 1, 1960.)
  24. ^ State Highway Department of Georgia (1963). State Highway System and Other Principal Connecting Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017. (Corrected to June 1, 1963.)
  25. ^ a b c Georgia Department of Transportation (1984). Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (1984–1985 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  26. ^ a b c Georgia Department of Transportation (1986). Official Highway and Transportation Map (PDF) (Map) (1986–1987 ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  27. ^ a b State Highway Department of Georgia (1949). System of State Roads (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. OCLC 5673161. Retrieved June 22, 2017. (Corrected to April 1, 1949.)
  28. ^ a b c "Overview map of SR 23 Spur" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  29. ^ a b Georgia Department of Transportation (1940). General Highway Map: Emanuel County, Georgia (Map). Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation – via GDOT Maps.
  30. ^ a b c Georgia Department of Transportation (1953). General Highway Map: Emanuel County, Georgia (Map). Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation – via GDOT Maps.
  31. ^ Georgia Department of Transportation (1975). General Highway Map: Emanuel County, Georgia (Map). Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation – via GDOT Maps.
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