Atlanta, GA (abc) - A Ku Klux Klan group's controversial application to adopt a stretch of highway in north Georgia has been denied by the Georgia Department of Transportation.
"Promoting an organization with a history of inciting civil disturbance and social unrest would present a grave concern to the Department," spokesman David Spear wrote in a statement. "Issuing this permit would have the potential to negatively impact the quality of life, commerce and economic development of Union County and all of Georgia."
The group, the International Keystone Knights of the KKK, had applied to adopt a one-mile stretch of highway in northern Georgia.
"Maintaining the safety of our roadways is this Department's foremost mission," the statement said. "Encountering signage and members of the KKK along a roadway would create a definite distraction to motorists."
The GDOT also said that the section of roadway requested is ineligible for adoption because its posted speed limit of 65 mph exceeds the program's maximum of 55 mph. A letter of denial is being sent to the group.
The KKK group member who submitted the application did not respond to request for comment.
