VALDOSTA — Updates to the Thoroughfare Plan sparked a lengthy debate during the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners work session Monday morning.

The Thoroughfare Plan, first adopted in 1983, is used as a guide for road improvement projects, private developments and land use changes.

The plan includes new roads, updated road classifications and components for bicycle routes.

The plan also includes traffic counts for all listed roads.

Gretchen Quarterman expressed her reservations about the plan, specifically Quarterman Road’s designation as a minor collector road, rather than a local road.

Quarterman suggested that the portion of Quarterman Road located near the subdivision be designated as a local road, and the portion further down be designated as minor collector.

During her address to the commission, Quarterman requested an ample amount of information, including a list of the roads with classification changes, information on bicycle right-of-way acquisition and the accuracy of the traffic counts.

After approximately 15 minutes, Chairman Ashley Paulk told Quarterman that she only had five more minutes.

Quarterman closed by saying that she has a “genuine interest in Lowndes County and wants to make sure citizens are provided with the best resources.”

Gretchen Quarterman’s husband, John Quarterman, then approached the commission about the Thoroughfare Plan’s consistency with the Comprehensive 20/30 plan.

He also mentioned an email from the district manager in Tifton to State Senator Tim Golden (D-Valdosta), then from County Manager Joe Pritchard to County Engineer Michael Fletcher.

Paulk warned Quarterman that the commission would not argue about emails during a public meeting.

Quarterman then reiterated the Thoroughfare Plan’s inconsistency with the 20/30 plan.

Approval of the updated plan will be considered during the regular session today at 5:30 p.m. at the Lowndes County Administration Building.

Other items to be discussed during the regular session include: