Work on I-85 Express Lanes Continues This Week

Work on the Interstate 85 Express Lanes project in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties continues this week. Lane closures are scheduled to occur during the day and throughout the weekend as weather permits, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Daytime work along the median wall will close the HOV lane in one or two locations in both directions weekdays this week. Work hours northbound are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and southbound work hours at from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. between peak commute hours. Lane closures did not occur Monday because of rain. The weekday schedule for this week includes:

• Tuesday March 29, from one mile south of Steve Reynolds Blvd. to Boggs Road and a second work zone from Northcrest Road to one mile south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd.                          
• Wednesday, March 30, from one mile south of Steve Reynolds Blvd. to Boggs Road and a second work zone from Northcrest Road to one mile south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd.
• Thursday,March 31, from Northcrest Road to one mile south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd. and a second work zone from Chamblee Tucker Road north for one mile.        
• Friday, April 1, from Northcrest Road to one mile south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd.    

The work plan requires lane closures northbound and southbound weeknights Tuesday and Wednesday. Both directions of the High Occupancy Vehicle lane or inside lane will close overnight at these locations if weather permits. Northbound lane closures will begin at 10 p.m. and continue overnight to 5 a.m. the next day. Southbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. the next day.  The schedule includes closings on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30, for work along the median wall from Northcrest Road to  SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd.

Weekend work will continue every weekend that weather allows. Crews will work on the new concrete foundations for the new overhead structures. These new structures will support the technological infrastructure and signage needed to operate the Express Lane System. The work plan for Friday, April 1, through Monday, April 4, requires closings lanes on the interstate both north and southbound. Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, the two left lanes of I-85 north and one left lane of I-85 south will close. The lanes will be closed from Northcrest Road in DeKalb County to south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd. to Indian Trail Road in Gwinnett County. 

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. 

The existing High Occupancy Vehicle lanes will continue in operation allowing vehicles with 2 or more people, motorcycles and alternate fuel vehicles to use the lanes until this fall when the Express Lane System is opened. Visit www.georgiatolls.com for additional information.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about these or any other construction projects on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.