As the Atlanta metropolitan area has grown over the past few years, SR347 has undergone strain from an influx of new subdivisions and housing developments, especially during morning and evening rush hours. SR347 also serves as an important connector to the Lake Lanier Islands and the southeast portion of Lake Lanier from Interstate 985 (I-985).
It travels to the southeast on Holiday Road and enters the northeastern part of Buford. There it has an intersection with SR13 (Atlanta Highway). It then continues to the southeast on Friendship Road to an interchange with I-985/US23/SR365 (Lanier Parkway). Then, the highway leaves Buford and curves to the east-northeast on Thompson Mill Road. Its eastern terminus is at an intersection with SR211 (Old Winder Highway) on the northern edge of Braselton.[1]
SR347 is not part of the National Highway System, a system of roadways important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.[4][5]
History
1960s to 1990s
SR347 was built between 1960 and 1963, but it only traveled from the Lake Lanier Islands area to an intersection with US23/SR13. I-985 had not been built in this area, so US23 still traveled along surface streets.[2][3] In 1968, it was extended to the under-construction freeway, which was then-proposed to be designated as SR365. The roadway that would become the remainder of SR347 was built at this time.[6][7] The road remained virtually unchanged for nearly 30 years. In 1997, SR 347 was extended further east along Friendship and Thompson Mill Roads to SR 211 more than doubling the length of the highway.[8][9]
Widening
Plans to widen Friendship Road (SR347) began to appear in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[citation needed] In late 2012, the DOT began clearing and grading work to widening the road.[10] The road widening would be handled in three sections. Section one would extend from I-985/US23/SR365 to the Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park. Section two would extend from Thompson Mill Road to SR211. Section three would connect the first and second sections.
Renaming controversy
In early 2013, the Hall County Board of Commissioners met to discuss eliminating the name "Friendship Road" and replacing it with the name "Lanier Islands Parkway."[11] Château Élan Winery & Resort and the Town of Braselton both announced their displeasure with the potential name change.[12] The residents who live on Friendship Road were angered as well, as the change represented, to them, county government bowing to business pressure from Lake Lanier Islands. The residents are also upset about losing yet another connection with the area's past, as the Friendship Community stretches back over 100 years, yet so much is being lost due to the road construction.[13] Later, Hall County Board of Commissioners decided to keep it as Friendship Road within the Braselton Town Limits.[citation needed]
↑State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1968). Official Highway Map(PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
↑State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1969). Official Highway Map(PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
↑Georgia Department of Transportation (1997). Official Highway and Transportation Map(PDF) (Map) (1997–1998ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
↑Georgia Department of Transportation (1998). Official Highway and Transportation Map(PDF) (Map) (1998–1999ed.). Scale not given. Atlanta: Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
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