Ga. DOT gives official nod to $800 million I-285/SR400 interchange project

Updated Apr 23, 2016

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The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has issued its Notice to Proceed to North Perimeter Contractors to begin work on the $800 million I-285/SR 400 Improvement Project in Atlanta.

The $800 million price tag includes right of way acquisitions, preliminary engineering, designs and environmental studies, among other costs. GDOT says more than 420,000 vehicles travel through the corridor surrounding the interchange, which is also near a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail line.

“This interchange is one of the busiest and most critical ones in the metro area,” says GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. “The improvements we are making as part of this project will improve mobility of motorists and goods through our region. I’m very proud of our Georgia DOT team and our partners that we are now able to start delivering results on our commitment to find transportation solutions for this vital economic center of Atlanta. I’m very excited for the innovative approach to deliver this project where the private sector designs, builds, and finances the construction of the project. This innovation has already yielded a significant reduction in cost to the taxpayers. The improved mobility at this interchange, coupled with improved safety of the motorist, will have a positive impact for the region.”

Field survey work began April 8, the day the Notice to Proceed was issued. GDOT expects the project to be completed by mid-2020.

Project highlights include:

  • Along I-285, approximately 4-miles of improvements beginning 1-mile west of Roswell Road and ending just east of Ashford Dunwoody Road
  • Along SR 400, the project will construct about 5-miles of improvements from just south of the Glenridge Connector north to the Spalding Drive area
  • Construction of barrier-separated collector-distributor (CD) lanes along I-285 and SR 400 to help reduce weaving, merging, and accelerating/decelerating conflict
  • Reconstruction of the Abernathy Road interchange
  • Replacement of the bridge at Mount Vernon Road
  • Reconstruction of existing ramps and bridges in the interchange area
  • New flyover bridges
  • New connections to I-285 and existing interchanges

Project details are available here.