Pacing, Triple Lane Closures Planned for I-85

As part of the conversion of the existing , 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. Up to three lanes may be closed after midnight. Traffic will be paced from one to three times as needed for the installation of equipment for the toll lanes. Overnight lane closures and pacing may occur at the following locations:

• Wednesday, Aug. 24 - Three work zones are planned along I-85 north and south at different locations. The first southbound work zones is from .5 mile south of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Boulevard to about .5 mile north of SR 140/Jimmy Carter Boulevard and will include closing multiple lanes and pacing traffic. The I-85 southbound work zone is from Steve Reynolds Blvd 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. The second southbound work zone will close the HOV lane only from Pleasant Hill Road to Old Peachtree Road. The northbound lane closures will be from SR 120 to Sugarloaf Parkway.
• Thursday, Aug. 25 - A work zone is planned and will include closing multiple lanes and pacing traffic. The I-85 southbound work zone is from SR 378/Beaver Ruin Road to SR 316. 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.
• Friday, Aug. 26 - A work zones is planned on I-85 southbound only and will include closing multiple lanes and pacing traffic from Chamblee Tucker Road to north of I-285. 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.