Last month, MHF News broke the news that Georgia DOT was committing to major upgrades on I-75 in Henry County. Now, we have more details available about the project’s cost and when motorists can expect it.
Presently, Henry County has two reversible express lanes in the Interstate 75 median. The I-75 Express Lanes Upgrade will construct two additional lanes, and establish a bi-directional travel option for motorists.
I-75 Express Lanes Upgrade
Georgia DOT has shared the first cost-estimate for the I-75 express lanes upgrade. Altogether, the project will cost $548 million. This includes $48 million for engineering, $70 million for right of way acquisition and, finally, $430 million for construction.
The express lanes project is now the most-expensive transportation project in Henry County. It surpasses the $256 million dollars for a new interstate exit at Bethlehem Road, as well as the I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes’ share of costs located within Henry County.
The state committed $10 million dollars in FY 2024 to jumpstart engineering work for the new express lanes. This funding has already been authorized. Check out the full project schedule below:
The state is estimating construction to start in 2029. The construction length has not yet been shared. A conservative three to four-year build, based on how long the current express lanes took to build, could see the lanes open in 2032–2033.
Paying for the Project
Historically, the state has financed the cost to build new express lanes. The future toll revenues then repay the construction costs. This month, the state adopted a public-private partnership for the Georgia 400 express lanes. The builder will pay for the $4.6 billion dollar project. In return, they will receive the toll revenues for fifty years. There is a high likelihood the state will utilize some form of private financing, following one of the two models above, to build the I-75 Express Lanes Upgrade.
About the Project
The I-75 Express Lanes run for 12 miles between I-675 in Stockbridge and SR 155 in McDonough. There are presently two reversible lanes, dropping to one lane near the southern terminus. The express lanes saw more than 4.5 million annual trips in FY 2023, according to state reports.
The I-75 Express Lanes Upgrade project will build two more express lanes. When complete, motorists will have an express lane option available 24/7 in both directions. This will end the current reversible set-up.
Right now, the express lanes have access points at I-675, Jonesboro Road, north of SR 20, and north of SR 155. The project will provide an opportunity to update the access points and add new ones. Many Henry County residents have expressed a desire for an express lane exit in the Eagles Landing area, for example.
Picturing the End-Result
How could the finished highway look? Georgia does not presently have any corridors with dual-lane bi-directional express lanes.
We can look to our southern neighbor, Florida, for one example to imagine the end-result. They have four express lanes, two in either direction, on I-4 in Orlando.
The Big Picture: Major Transportation Projects in Henry County
Before this summer’s announcement, Henry County had $1.4 billion dollars in upcoming major transportation projects, according to MHF News research. This includes road widening projects, a highway bridge replacement and new roads. The projects are scheduled to build between now and 2030. It also includes a portion of costs for the I-75 commercial vehicle lanes, based on 29% of the project being in Henry County.
The total now increases to $1.95 billion dollars following the express lanes announcement.
The latest updates on all Henry County transportation projects are available in our August 2024 update.
Featured image shows I-75 near McDonough. Photo used with permission; credit Kenjie Photography.
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