I-285 construction project will close lanes until summer 2022

ATLANTA - In an effort to reduce high levels of congested traffic along Interstate 285, the Georgia Department of Transportation is undertaking an almost $1 billion construction project that will add additional lanes and bridges along the freeway. That’s the good news.

The bad news is: in order to complete the project, multiple highway lanes along I-285 will be closed, causing addition delays in travel. These closures are anticipated to remain in effect as late as July 2022.

Beginning the weekend after Labor Day, a significant stretch of I-285, including its intersection with Georgia State Route 400, will be reduced from its current five-lane capacity to three lanes. This construction will affect all of I-285 from Roswell Road to Ashford Dunwoody Road. A 40% reduction of highway lanes on the Perimeter will undoubtedly add a significant increase to the amount of time drivers will spend in traffic during the next 10 months.

Ann Halon, executive director of Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, said that changes involving I-285 and Georgia State Route 400 are necessary, and will ultimately result in significantly less traffic congestion.

“Travel time reduction will be greatly improved, and traffic congestion will be reduced with this project,” she said. “Previous handling capacity [of the interchange] was 100,0000 [vehicles], and proposed handling capacity will be approximately 400,000. Improvements are going to greatly improve access entering and exiting the Perimeter Business Community."

The $800 million project, along with adding additional lanes to the freeway, will replace or rebuild multiple bridges and other freeway interchanges. Once completed, the project will feature 32 new or reconstructed bridges and 16 noise barriers. The 8.5 miles of sound barriers, which incorporate over a million sq. ft. of concrete panels, are designed to significantly reduce noise pollution in residential and business communities.

Construction on the freeways will first involve the closure of the two inner lanes; traffic will be diverted to the two outer lanes during the process. After the completion of the inner lanes, the project will focus on the two outer lanes. Construction will take place simultaneously on both sides of the freeway.

Although the Georgia Department of Transportation cannot possibly alleviate complications brought on by the construction, it has issued guidance that might make it easier for motorists to travel during the construction period. The GDOT has suggested that drivers search for alternate routes to get to their destinations; avoiding the construction areas will allow for motorists to avoid high traffic areas and will make it safer for construction crews. Traffic apps such as Waze and Google Maps may assist in determining faster alternate routes during construction.

The GDOT further suggests that those who cannot work from home should travel during off-peak times to avoid traffic congestion. Motorists might want to commence travel an hour or so earlier to work or from work. Organizations might benefit from adjusting work hours during the construction period

Construction along I-285 will slow traffic until completion in 2022Twitter/Georgia Department of Transportation

to prevent the headache of sitting in traffic unnecessarily. It is suggested that drivers utilizing The Perimeter during this period add an additional 30 minutes, at a minimum, to their anticipated travel time.

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