Residents along a north Cherokee road are calling on the county government to completely pave the road to alleviate their health concerns.

Ricky Wilson, who lives on Garland Mountain Trail, said he and his neighbors want to see the rest of the road paved.

About a mile and a half was recently paved, but a two-mile stretch of the road remains gravel.

Wilson said he has been told by doctors that the silica sand from the unpaved road is contributing to his 2-year-old daughter's health problems including nasal infections, coughing and sneezing. Ten small children live on the road, he said, adding adults are also suffering the same symptoms.

"There is no escape from it," he said about the sand. "The silica sand is everywhere. This is a hardship."

A 1.2-mile stretch of the road was paved earlier this month, said resident Robbie Robinson, noting it extends just past his house.

"We would love to see the whole thing done," he said, adding the entire length of the road is dusty. "The school bus, the sheriff's office and fire engines go down there. Every time they come through, they have to wash their vehicles."

Robinson said the road is not only hazardous to the health of the residents, but can also wash out if it rains.

Wilson said he doesn't understand why some roads in the area are being repaved when his road still is partially gravel.

"I have got to do something for my child," he said. "It is slowly but surely killing us all."

Geoff Morton, engineer for the county government, said the county already has selected all of the paving projects for this budget year as well as the next.

"It all depends on funds," he said as to whether Garland Mountain Trail could be added, noting the county's paving funds are limited. "If the (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax renewal) is approved, it stands a better chance."

The current SPLOST expires in 2012 and is up for renewal by Cherokee voters in November.

The cost of paving the remaining 2.1-mile stretch is $365,000. Paving the first section cost $600,000, which included grading costs.

In the meantime, Morton said the county is researching options for a dust-control treatment on the road to reduce the amount of dust kicked up when vehicles drive through. The treatment would need to be done two or three times a year.