In April 2016, The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded the largest contract associated with new Interstate 285-Georgia 400 project ($460 million) to North Perimeter Contractors, a subsidiary of Ferrovial Agroman US Corp.
On Thursday 3rd November, the state department of transportation officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the improvements due to be made to the Interstate 285 – GA-400. Despite being described as a “slightly unconventional” setting for a ceremony of this kind, Governor Nathan Deal launched the large-scale I-285/Georgia 400 project on the 32nd floor of the “King” building. This setting provided an optimum view of the interchange below through picture windows.
During his presentation, Deal emphasized the need for improvements on this extremely busy highway, commenting that that the project will enhance levels of safety and congestion in the area.
“This area has about 5,000 businesses, 3 Fortune 500 companies and it is a place where over 123,000 Georgians work every day. So, this is indeed at the heart of much of the growth and much of the congestion that has come with the growth of the population and the growth of businesses in our state.”
Alongside Deal were Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry and State Transportation Board member Mark Burkhalter, who stressed that ´commuters spend eight hours a year sitting in this traffic´ and how the completion of the project should see a reduction of delays for all users of the interchange by 20,000 hours.
Over the next four years, crews will construct new flyover ramps, new collector-distributor lanes, a diverging diamond interchange and an extension of the PATH 400 trail system.
Crews are currently carrying out some geotechnical work, surveying and inspections, but the major work will commence in February 2017 and will continue until 2020.
For more information on the groundbreaking ceremony and the project, see here
