I-85 Widening, Phase 1 Project completed

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced the substantial completion of the I-85 Widening, Phase 1 project. Spanning across three counties (Gwinnett, Barrow, and Jackson), the project widened I-85 north of metro Atlanta from two to three lanes by adding one general-purpose lane and a paved shoulder in each direction with a concrete median barrier replacing the existing grassed median. This was the first project from the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) portfolio, the largest investment in roadway mobility improvements in the state’s history, to start construction in 2018 and the first to be completed and open to traffic.  In accordance with public health guidelines and social distancing practices, instead of a typical in-person ribbon-cutting event, the GDOT produced a video that can be shared to celebrate this momentous occasion. The celebration video can be viewed on GDOT’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/cYVuaUta-aE (2.5 minutes) and https://youtu.be/MGxbG2lbNeA for a longer version. The video features imagery and visuals of project construction and milestones, and includes remarks from GDOT leadership, members of the project team, and project stakeholders.  “The successful completion of the I-85 Widening, Phase 1 project marks a huge milestone for the state of Georgia,” said GDOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. “The capacity that this project has brought is crucial to the continued prosperity of the growing communities along the I-85 corridor in northeast Georgia.”  As part of the project, three 50-year-old overpass bridges (Spout Springs Road bridge, Flowery Branch Road bridge, and Jesse Cronic Road bridge) were replaced with new bridges and one northbound and one southbound mainline bridge was replaced. An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), closed-circuit television (CCTV), signage, striping, and guardrails were also added or received upgrades within the project limits. The cities of Suwannee, Lawrenceville, Buford, Hoschton, Auburn, and the Town of Braselton, will all receive positive impacts by this investment in the state’s transportation network. As a result, drivers between Hamilton Mill Road and State Route 53 are expected to experience a 56 percent decrease in delays.  The Department utilized an innovative delivery method through Design-Build, which accelerated construction and proved beneficial for Georgians by reducing construction times, minimizing travel impacts as much as possible, and maximizing the use of resources and the project budget.  The GDOT has leveraged that success and expedited the timeline of the corridor’s Phase 2 improvements, another MMIP project. Advancing this project represents the Department’s ability to progress projects forward when there is less or no right-of-way acquisitions and commercial development that could be impacted through project design and construction.  The I-85 Widening, Phase 2 project will provide relief by widening I-85 from two to three lanes in both directions from SR 53 to just north of US 129. Additional work on the project includes replacing one overpass bridge and six mainline bridges along I-85. The project is anticipated to start construction in 2021 and open to traffic four years ahead of the original schedule in 2023.