JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ga. - A dangerous intersection in Jefferson County is known by people who drive through it and even officials at the state level. The community is calling on Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for a solution before more people are hurt - or killed by crashes.

“...I heard screaming. I thought, oh God, did I just kill somebody?" said Gabriella Beckstedt.

“When is soon enough, enough? I mean, how many people are going to die?” asked Mitchell McGraw, Jefferson County Chairman.

540 and 296 intersect in Jefferson County.

“It’s just, you hate to call and tell a family what’s happening and that’s the worst thing you can do as a sheriff, is that you have to make those calls.” said Sheriff Gary Hutchins, Jefferson County.

Despite a 65 mile-per-hour speed limit, rumble strips and flashing caution lights - tragedy still strikes.

"We all get calls on a regular basis about this intersection. Each and every one of us on a regular basis, we need something done quick fast and, in a hurry, please!” said McGraw.

“I’ve seen, I don’t know, 5 or 6 helicopters land out here that I know of and 8 or 10 deaths that have happened out here.” said Howard Wilson, neighbor.

Community leaders say they’ve spent years trying to get the state to act.

“Sometimes, they have to follow that red tape. I understand that," said Commissioner Wayne Davis.

"We’ve done everything we know to do.” said McGraw.

It’s not just people in the CSRA that it affects.

"There’s something wrong there. I really hoped my accident 4 years ago would’ve been the last of it. It changed my life and not in a great way.” said Beckstedt.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has something in the works for now.

“With the RCUT, which should be completed this year, and we are in the conceptual bids which quick responses are also under $200,000 so that’s how we can get this done so quickly.” said Jill Nagel, GDOT District Communication Officer.

But, neighbors believe the methods already in place just aren’t working.

“I feel like the lights they have, the flashing lights like railroad track lights, they need to be on 296 instead of 88.” said Cheryl Oliphant, neighbor.

As GDOT continues planning, they urge drivers to be extra careful.

"We all need to be patient with each other, and we just ask everyone to follow all traffic laws,” said Nagel.

"How…How many more tax dollars are going to go into solutions that aren’t actually effective? How many more accidents have to happen? How many more fatalities have to happen before something is actually done?” asked Beckstedt.

GDOT completed a traffic study which recommends a roundabout for the area. Officials say construction begins in 2027.

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