A Step Back in Time

On Wednesday, ACCG, Georgia’s county association marked its place in history in downtown Atlanta.  The ACCG Board of Managers and leadership came together with members of the Georgia State Transportation Board and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) leadership, representatives from the Georgia Historical Society, state legislators and others to dedicate the state’s newest historical marker.  This marker commemorates the origins of both ACCG and GDOT, as it was the location where county commissioners initially came together in April 1914 to discuss the creation of the state’s first highway department.   ACCG and GDOT worked together to establish this marker as part of their centennial anniversary legacy.

“We are so very proud of our century-plus long partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation,” said ACCG Executive Director Ross King.  “Both ACCG and GDOT have seen immense changes in our 100 years of history, yet the roots of the local and state government partnership established so long ago remain strong today.”

GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry echoed the changes that Georgia has seen since the historic first meeting of county commissioners which lead to the establishment of the State Highway Department in 1916.  “Back in 1916 – there were about 3.4 million registered cars (mainly Model T) in the country with a population of nearly 102 million.  Gas was 22 cents a gallon, the maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 miles per hour.  It took 23 years for the car to replace the horse and buggy!” said McMurry.  “Today, there are 225 million registered cars in the U.S. and a population of 322 million people; GDOT has a 3 plus billion dollar budget.”

Visit our Facebook Page at GAcounty or check out ACCG TV to see coverage of the event.