Triple Lane Closures Planned This Week on I-85

As part of the conversion of the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, the Georgia Department of Transportation is planning multiple lane closures and traffic pacing during the overnight hours this week as they install and test the conduit, cabling, antennas, cameras and other equipment that will operate the tolling network for the State Road and Tollway Authority.

During the overnight hours, southbound closures will begin at 8 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 10 p.m. and continue to 5 a.m. the next day. Overnight lane closures may occur at the following locations:

• Sunday, Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 15 - Work will occur on I-85 south only from I-285 to north of Pleasantdale Road, closing the HOV lane. A second work zone is also planned for the I-285 west bound ramp to I-85 south only, the left lane of the ramp will close.
• Tuesday, Aug. 16 -A work zone is plannedalong I-85 north and south. The northbound lane closure is from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to north of Pleasant Hill Road. The southbound lane closure is from SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd to Steve Reynolds Boulevard. A third work zone is planned for SR 315 westbound from I-85 to Herrington Road.
• Wednesday, Aug. 18 -  A work zone is plannedalong I-85 north and south from SR 120/Duluth Highway to Old Peachtree Road. The lane closure begins with one lane closed in each direction. At 11 p.m. a second left lane in each direction will close. At 12 a.m. a third left lane in each direction will close and traffic will be paced from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. several times an hour.
• Thursday, Aug. 19 - Two work zones are planned and will include closing multiple lanes and pacing traffic. The I-85 southbound work zone is from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to SR 378/Beaver Ruin Road. The I-85 northbound work zone is from SR 316 to SR 120/Duluth Highway. Each lane closure begins with one lane closed in each direction. At 11 p.m. a second left lane in each direction will close. At 12 a.m. a third left lane in each direction will close and traffic will be paced from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. several times an hour.
• Friday, Aug. 20 - Two work zones are planned and will include closing multiple lanes and pacing traffic. The I-85 southbound work zone is from SR 140/Jimmy Carter Blvd to Indian Trail Road. The I-85 northbound work zone is from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Pleasant Hill Road. Each lane closure begins with one lane closed in each direction. At 11 p.m. a second left lane in each direction will close. At 12 a.m. a third left lane in each direction will close and traffic will be paced from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. several times an hour.
• Saturday, Aug. 21 - Two work zones are planned and will include closing multiple lanes and pacing traffic.The I-85 southbound work zone is from south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Boulevard to one mile north of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Boulevard.The I-85 northbound work zone is from Indian Trail Road to SR 378/Beaver Ruin Road. Each lane closure begins with one lane closed in each direction. At 11 p.m. a second left lane in each direction will close. At 12 a.m. a third left lane in each direction will close and traffic will be paced from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. several times an hour.

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 . Please visit www.georgiatolls.com for additional information.

Updated construction information is available by calling 511, a free phone service that provides statewide traffic and travel information. Visit www.511ga.org for details.