Georgia State Route 5

Georgia State Route 5 is a route that bisects northern Gerogia. It passes through the county seats of Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Jasper, Canton, and Marietta. Along the way, it is multiplexed with one of metro Atlanta's freeways, I-575 and from Blue Ridge to Ellijay is cosigned with U.S. 76.

Routing

Highway 5 begins at its northern terminus at the Tennessee border in the bordertown of McCaysville. It then winds its way through the north Georgia mountains and the above-mentioned cities. After passing through Marietta, it then takes on odd routing and multiplexing as it decreases in importance as a route. Multiplexed with US 78, it goes through downtown Douglasville. After leaving Douglasville, Highway 5 becomes a strictly rural route before ending, insignificantly, in Carroll County at the Alabama-Georgia line.

"Old Highway 5"

From the late 1970's to the early 1990's, Interstate 575 and Georgia Highway 515 were constructed. Highway 5 between Canton and Marietta had become a congested and dangerous route. This new freeway would alleviate these problems. Upon completion, the signage for Highway 5 was removed from the state roads it signified and placed alongside the I-575 and GA-515 shields; thus creating "Old Highway 5". Officially, this route is designated by the state as State Route 754. The southern terminus of this route is just north of the Marietta Square. Its northern terminus, officially, is Georgia State Route 92 in Woodstock. However, because of The Zell Miller Mountain Parkway (GA-515) that begins at I-575's northern terminus, Old Highway 5 stretches all the way to northern Ellijay. At that point, it rejoins 515 as that stretch of the highway was a mere widening project that incorporated the old route and roadbed. There are two stretches of this highway that are signed with the banner route of "S.R. 5 Business." These are in Canton and Ball Ground, seperately. Despite the fact that this series of roads were decommisioned long ago, locals continue to refer to this route as "Highway 5" or, simply, "5", all but ignoring its multiplex with I-575 and GA-515.