Plans to pave Carlisle Road were discussed during a meeting Saturday morning at Dawson County Emergency Services Station No. 2.

Several Carlisle Road residents attended the town hall style meeting held by Dawson County Public Works Director David Headley and county engineer Corey Gutherie, who outlined the project that includes paving, widening and restructuring the gravel road.

"We want people to be able to move around in our county. It improves our county to be able to do that. But it is still a residential road, so with that being said, the road would be designed to have a 35 mile per hour speed limit," Gutherie said.

While residents said they understand paving the road would mean more drivers will use it to access Ga. 400, Scott Mullinax said the new, improved paved road will be welcomed, even if it means taking down a couple of the trees on his property.

"They're a focal point for us, but I'm reasonable and I think we'll be able to work something out," he said.

The county is currently working with land owners on Carlisle Road to acquire right-of-way for the project.

Commission Chair Mike Berg said the project is primarily funded by a $250,000 state transportation grant with the remainder coming from the county's 1-cent sales tax.

"The grant from DOT is for this specific road. We told them it was one of the roads we had on our list and they know it's a cut-through to Ga. 400," he said.

Gutherie said the plan is to begin the project this summer.

A second public meeting was also planned for Tuesday evening.