Here's What Drivers on I-85 Will See at Bridge

Images of what drivers will see as they approach the reconstructed Pleasant Hill Road bridge over Interstate 85 in Duluth were unveiled Wednesday (July 13) by the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District. The renderings depict an artistic treatment on the fence work along the bridge that will be visible during the day and lighted at night. 

Reconstructing the interchange from a conventional diamond into a diverging-diamond configuration is expected to improve traffic flow at the interchange. The diverging diamond allows drivers to cross over to the opposite side of the road. Work on changing the bridge into a diverging-diamond interchange (DDI) is scheduled to start early next year.

The bridge’s new appearance was developed by a 16-member steering committee and reflects ideas compiled over many months of meetings and charrettes. Opinions were obtained from the international communities, area business owners, residents, Gwinnett County government staff, CID board members, planning consultants, chamber of commerce representatives, and City of Duluth officials, according to an announcement by the Gwinnett Place CID. 

The special lighting, colors and landscaping will increase pedestrian and driver access while branding the bridge as the gateway entrance to greater Gwinnett Place, according to CID Chairman Leo Wiener. 

“Our stakeholders have helped us craft a distinctive entry to the county’s central business district,” Wiener said in the announcement. “I believe they will be proud of the finished product and will benefit greatly from having the DDI project completed in early 2012.” 

More information about the DDI is available on the CID’s website. A DDI is also slated to be installed on the Jimmy Carter Boulevard bridge over I-85 in Norcross.