The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded a $468 million contract for the Interstate 16 Widening Project, the largest design-build project in the state’s history.
The award to Matthews-McLendon Joint Venture (MMJV)/Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering covers the largest buildable segment at 17.77 miles between the Interstate 16/Interstate 95 interchange to mile marker 139.65 in Bryan County. The full project will also widen I-16 east and west from two to three lanes, repave and improve safety and long-term roadway performance, the DOT says. Six bridges will be replaced or widened:
- Ogeechee River (EB and WB will be replaced)
- Little Ogeechee River (EB and WB will be widened)
- Ogeechee River Overflow 1 (EB and WB will be widened)
- Ogeechee River Overflow 2 (EB and WB will be widened)
- Ogeechee River Overflow 3 (EB and WB will be replaced)
- and Georgia Central Railway (EB and WB will be replaced)
GDOT expects construction will remain in the existing right of way to minimize impacts and lower costs. The project will be fully funded by the state.
GDOT used a best-value, variable-scope procurement method, to evaluate both the joint venture’s technical and price proposals, for only the third time in its history. According to GDOT, this allowed the department to stretch available funding and deliver a stronger result.
Three qualified proposer teams were shortlisted for the contract in January before the Matthews/McLendon JV was chosen.
GDOT expects ground will be broken in 2027. The remaining 14 miles of the 32-mile total corridor will be completed in phases, also using design-build contracts.
