Georgia DOT Takes $4.6 Billion Highway Expansion Plan on the Road

"After years of major road construction across metro Atlanta, state officials are preparing for their biggest project yet: the $4.6 billion expansion of the top end of the Perimeter," reports David Wickert.

"The Georgia Department of Transportation says building new toll lanes along I-285 could ease traffic on one of the busiest stretches of highway in the Southeast," adds Wickert. "It also would link the region’s growing network of toll lanes — allowing motorists to drive from Acworth to Buford at the height of rush hour while avoiding the worst traffic."

The project would also add new toll lanes "in each direction along the Perimeter between Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County and Henderson Road in DeKalb County. It also will build new toll lanes along Ga. 400 from I-285 to the North Springs MARTA station," according to Wickert.

While commuters who travel the routes hope the new capacity will provide congestion relief, residents living along the planned I-285 expansion fear the expanded highway will encroach on their communities. Public outcry in opposition to the project was detailed in an April article by Wickert.

GDOT officials held a series of public hearings to share the plans for the I-285 and other expansions earlier this month.