The State Transportation Board will hold its October meeting in Valdosta by invitation of Tim Golden, who represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District on the Board.

This month’s two-day meeting includes committee meetings on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 2:15 p.m. and the official monthly board meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. The meetings will be held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center, 1 Meeting Place in Valdosta.

“It is an honor to host the monthly meeting of the STB in Valdosta,” said Golden. “Transportation infrastructure is key to economic expansion both in South Georgia and around the state. To have the Commissioner and his staff along with the STB provides us a great opportunity to showcase our region of the state.”

The Board occasionally holds its monthly meeting outside the city of Atlanta to provide Georgia cities and counties with the opportunity to highlight their transportation needs and to underline the value of their transportation investments.

"We are pleased to be in Valdosta and Lowndes County to hear from community leaders and residents,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “It’s a great opportunity to see firsthand the region’s needs.”

On Wednesday, the STB, with the Commissioner and others, will also dedicate U.S. Highway 22/State Route 31 from the intersection of SR 11 and SR 31 in Lakeland to the intersection of SR 7 and SR 31 in Valdosta in Lowndes County as the James Slaton "Jay” Shaw Memorial Highway. The road dedication ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Jim and Mary Threatte Arts & Civic Center, 99 East Burnt Church Road in Lakeland. The public is invited to attend.

On Thursday, regional projects will be highlighted at the STB meeting. These include construction of four-lane bridges on I-75 at exits 2, 11, 22, and 29 and a lane extension at exit 2. Among other projects of interest, within the city of Valdosta, Jerry Jones will gain a lane extension from Baytree Road to Oak Street.