Dawson County motorists can expect to see new traffic signals along the Ga. 400 corridor within the next few months in response to the increased commercial development in the area.

County officials announced last week that new signals will go in at five locations, including two on Ga. 400 and two on Hwy. 53.

A fifth traffic signal will be installed at Dawson Forest Road's intersection with Gordon Moss Road--the entrance to the Dawson Marketplace, which is set to be operational by the first quarter of 2017 and will feature the state's largest Kroger grocery store, Ross Dress for Less, Marshall's, PetCo and others.

The two on Hwy. 53, one at the entrance to Burger King and the Ingles shopping center and one at Dawson Village Way near Sonic, are due to the continuous flow intersection currently under construction at the crossing.

The three remaining are intended to support the major retail developments going in at the intersections of Dawson Forest Road and Ga. 400.

There will be a light at Carlisle and Whitmire roads on Ga. 400, as well as at Quill Road, which will serve as entrance to the new Publix shopping center.

Set to open in the fall of 2016, a 45,600-square-foot space, Publix supermarket will anchor the shopping plaza, where Brooklyn Joe's Pizzeria, Lee Nails, Great Clips and a Chili's restaurant outparcel have already signed on to open locations.

All of the new signals will be funded by private developers, according to county officials.

Dawson County's government will be responsible for the electrical usage of all traffic signals which is expected to be less than $1,000 per year per signal.

Installation of all five traffic signals is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.