The Georgia Department of Transportation is looking at the intersection of Hwy. 53 and Elliott Family Parkway as a possible roundabout site.

Last month, DOT officials asked the Dawson County Board of Commissioners to maintain the landscape and pay energy charges associated with lighting if DOT decides to upgrade the intersection.

The board agreed, though there are no guarantees the roundabout will be constructed any time in the future.

County Manager Kevin Tanner said the high traffic intersection is one of several across the state DOT is considering for roundabouts.

“We’ve known for some time they have wanted to do something with the intersection,” he said.

Roundabouts, like the one at the crossing of Dawson Forest and Lumpkin Campground roads, are popular alternatives for busy intersections because they allow traffic to continuously flow and typically require less land acquisition to construct.

Lt. Col. Greg Rowan, of the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, said he learned of the possible intersection improvements at a recent commission meeting.

“DOT had not contacted us as far as I know, but maybe they have their own statistics that shows this is a dangerous intersection that needs improvement,” he said.

In the past 10 years, there have been 92 traffic wrecks at the crossing, resulting in more than three dozen injuries and three fatalities, according to authorities.