The first section of the long-awaited Westside Bypass, including a new Interstate 85 interchange, opened October 2002. With it came increased ease and access for motorists interested in living and working in Afton Village.

Exit 54 now provides immediate access to Afton Village (.25 miles from entrance) and surrounding neighborhoods. With direct Interstate access that the interchange provides, in conjunction with the new 4 lane frontage on George W. Liles Parkway, commercial and office interest in Afton Village has soared. In addition to the excellent auto access, merchants also capture the ongoing pedestrian traffic that is generated in Afton Village by the new YMCA.

Determined not to let the commercial area of Afton Village become just another strip shopping center, Mayfield-Lakeland is being very selective with the tenants they invite into the Village. "Ultimately, there must be a good fit between our village concept and our merchants," says Mayfield.

Phase I of the bypass included the interchange at George W. Liles Parkway and I-85, the parkway to the south along G.W. Liles Pkwy and the Afton Village Main Street, and the parkway to the north along G.W. Liles Pkwy to Hwy 73.

Phase II, which is tentatively slated for construction within the next 10 years, will extend the parkway north beyond Hwy 73 and will extend from the Afton Village entrance south along G. W. Liles Pkwy to Hwy 29 and eventually Hwy 49.