Lane Closures Continue Nightly on Interstate 85

Construction of the new Express Lane System on Interstate 85 in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties continues with nightly lane closures only this week as weather permits, the Georgia Department of Transportation announced.

The work plan requires nightly lane closures Sunday, Aug. 7, through Thursday, Aug. 11. Southbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Northbound lane closures begin at 10 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. the next day. Lane closures will occur on SR 316 Sunday night if weather permits. This work is to install and test the conduit, cabling, antennas, cameras and other equipment that will operate the tolling network for the State Road and Tollway Authority.

• Sunday, Aug. 7 - A work zone is planned on State Route 316 westbound from 9 p.m. overnight to 5 a.m. closing the HOV lane from I-85 to Sugarloaf Parkway. A second work zone is planned along I-85 south only from Chamblee Tucker Road to SR 141/Jimmy Carter Blvd. This is a three-mile long lane closure.
• Monday, Aug. 8 - A work zone is planned on I-85 south only from Chamblee Tucker Road to SR 141/Jimmy Carter Blvd. This is a three-mile long lane closure. A second work zone is planned along I-85 south only from Steve Reynolds Blvd. to south of Boggs Road.
• Tuesday, Aug. 9  -  A work zone is planned along I-85 south only, from Chamblee Tucker Road to SR 141/Jimmy Carter Blvd. This is a three-mile long lane closure. A second work zone is planned on I-85 south only from Boggs Road to SR 120/Duluth Highway.
• Wednesday, Aug. 10  -  A work zone is planned along I-85 south only from Chamblee Tucker Road to SR 141/Jimmy Carter Blvd. This is a three-mile long lane closure. A second work zone is planned along I-85 south only from Steve Reynolds Blvd to south of Boggs Road. 
• Thursday, Aug 11 - A work zone is planned for I-85 north from Chamblee Tucker Road to SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd. This is a three-mile long lane closure. A second work zone is planned on I-85 south from Old Norcross Road to SR 120/Duluth Highway. This is a two-mile long lane closure.

 No daytime work is planned through Friday, August 12.  

The existing High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstate 85 will continue in operation allowing vehicles with 2 or more people, motorcycles and alternate fuel vehicles to use the lanes until the Express Lane System is opened.

The I-85 Express Lanes 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 fueled 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.