Work Continues on I-85 Express Lane System

Construction of the new Express Lane System along Interstate 85 continues, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. As weather permits, lane closures are scheduled to occur during the day and overnight on I-85 in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

Daytime crews will be removing temporary barrier wall along the interstate this week. Work hours northbound are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and southbound work hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. between peak commute hours.

• Monday, August 1, and Tuesday, August 2, the only daytime work will occur on I-85 closing the left lane of the HOV lane from the Old Norcross Road Overpass to Boggs Road.

The work plan requires nightly lane closures southbound only. Southbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Lane closures will occur on SR 316 Thursday night to install the conduit, cabling, antennas, cameras and other equipment that will operate the tolling network for the State Road and Tollway Authority.

• Each night, Sunday, July 31, through Thursday, Aug. 5, work will occur on I-85 south only, closing the right lane from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Chamblee Tucker Road to south of SR 141/Jimmy Carter Blvd. This is a three-mile long lane closure.
• Monday, Aug. 1, and Tuesday, Aug. 2, a second work zone is planned along I-85 south only from Boggs Road to the end of the current HOV lane south of SR 317/Lawrenceville Suwanee Road. This is a four mile long lane closure.
• Wednesday, Aug. 3, a second work zone is planned along I-85 north only from Chamblee Tucker Road to north of SR 141/Jimmy Carter Boulevard. This is a three-mile long lane closure.
• Thursday, Aug. 4, a single work zone is planned along I-85 south only from SR 141/Jimmy Carter Blvd to Steve Reynolds Boulevard. This is a four-mile long lane closure.

Overnight weekend work is planned Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on I-85 south and on SR 316 west only closing the left or HOV lane.

• Friday, Aug. 5, work will occur on I-85 south only at two locations. One lane closure will be from SR 141/Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Steve Reynolds Boulevard. This is a four-mile long lane closure. A second work zone will be in place on I-85 south only from north of Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Boggs Road. This is a four-mile long lane closure.
• Saturday, Aug. 6, work will occur on I-85 south only from SR 140/Jimmy Carter Boulevatd to Steve Reynolds Boulevard. This is a four-mile long lane closure. A second work zone is planned for SR 316 west closing the left lane from I-85 to Sugarloaf Parkway.

The existing High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstate 85 will continue in operation allowing vehicles with two or more people, motorcycles and alternate fuel vehicles to use the lanes until the Express Lane System is opened.

The project includes installation of 16 miles of fiber and signage along Interstate Highway 85 between Chamblee Tucker Road and Old Peachtree Road and along State Route 316 between I-85 and Riverside Parkway.

When completed, registered transit buses, motorcycles, alternative fuel vehicles and vehicles with three or more passengers will be allowed to use the inside (left) HOT lane for free, while single- and double-occupant vehicles will be allowed to use the lane if they choose to pay a variably priced toll. 

Motorists can access real-time, statewide, route-specific information on accidents, road work, traffic and weather conditions through Georgia 511, a free phone, web, and mobile service.