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I-85 Widening, Phase I

I-85 Widening, Phase I

The I-85 Widening project was the first of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) projects to start construction. It opened to traffic on June 19, 2020, 41 days ahead of schedule. This project provides relief to motorists in this heavily congested area by widening I-85 from two to three lanes in both directions from I-985 to SR 53 in Gwinnett, Barrow, and Jackson counties. The project consists of:

  • Reducing the grass median with a paved shoulder and median barrier
  • Replacing three 50+ year old overpass bridges (Spout Springs Road bridge, Flowery Branch Road bridge, and Jesse Cronic Road bridge)
  • Upgrading signing, striping, and the guardrail
Read More Speaker Request Form Document Library
Construction Updates

Virtual Ribbon Cutting

In concordance with social distancing practices, instead of a typical in-person ribbon-cutting event, Georgia DOT produced a video that can be shared to celebrate this momentous occasion. The video features imagery and visuals of project construction and milestones and includes remarks from Georgia DOT leadership, members of the project team, and project stakeholders.  

Project Map

Interactive Timeline

  • 2016-2017
  • 2016
  • 2018
  • 2018
  • January 2019
  • June 2019
  • July 2019
  • July 2019
  • December 2019
  • June 2020
  • 2016-2017

    I-85 Widening Environmental process
    Continue reading
  • 2016

    Hosted a series of Public Information Open House (PIOH) meetings to show current concept plans and receive feedback.
    Continue reading
  • 2018

    Awarded developer, C.W. Matthews, begins final design of the project The consultant teams design an initial 30% of the project. The design is handed over to the selected developer to complete and construct.
    Continue reading
  • 2018

    Construction began
    Continue reading
  • January 2019

    Spout Springs Road bridge closes for demolition and reconstruction
    Continue reading
  • June 2019

    5
    Jesse Cronic Road bridge closes for demolition and reconstruction
    Continue reading
  • July 2019

    Project reaches half-way mark on construction
    Continue reading
  • July 2019

    7
    Spout Springs Road bridge reopens
    Continue reading
  • December 2019

    Jesse Cronic Bridge reopens
    Continue reading
  • 2020

    Open to traffic in June 2020
    Continue reading

Project Status

Georgia DOT selected Design-Build team (C.W. Matthews) who will design and construct the project using an accelerated process. Construction began in July 2018, reached its halfway point milestone in July 2019, and opened to traffic in June 2020, 41 days ahead of schedule

Noise Barriers

Noise barriers were evaluated as part of this project in accordance with the Georgia DOT noise policy and Federal Highway Administration noise regulations. Property owners and renters who would benefit from a proposed noise barrier were given the opportunity to participate in noise barrier voting. Download a noise barrier fact sheet here.


Contact Information
Email: 85Widening@dot.ga.gov
Phone: 404-347-0185
Mailing Address: 899 Highway 124, Braselton, GA 30517 (field office)

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GDOTNE avatarGeorgia DOT - Northeast Region@GDOTNE·
10 May 1523981173302517761

📅In 8 short weeks, we were able to accelerate the replacement of 6 mainline bridges. Check out this #TransformationThursday. 🏗️

#85Widening #WorkingForYou

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: 📅In 8 short weeks, we
Reply on Twitter 1523981173302517761Retweet on Twitter 1523981173302517761Like on Twitter 1523981173302517761Twitter 1523981173302517761
GDOTNE avatarGeorgia DOT - Northeast Region@GDOTNE·
28 Feb 2022 1498281832852324357

😎And just like that... 🔇We have sound barriers! 🔇Check out the latest progress on Phase 2 of the #85Widening project.🏗️

Want to learn more about Phase 2? Check out: https://bit.ly/3GtXpqo

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: 😎And just like that... 🔇We
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GDOTNE avatarGeorgia DOT - Northeast Region@GDOTNE·
25 Feb 2022 1497194679548452896

I-85 Widening, Phase 2 progress:
INITIATED ✅

The SR 332 bridge is one of 7 total bridges being replaced as part of the #85Widening project.

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: I-85 Widening, Phase 2 progress:
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GADeptofTrans avatarGeorgia DOT@GADeptofTrans·
13 Dec 2021 1470513149556236295

#DriveAlert and look out 👀 for the traffic shift southbound on 12/13 and northbound on 12/14 for the #85Widening project. Both lanes will be affected for approximately 1.5 miles near I-85 and SR 53.

https://bit.ly/335Zn24

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: #DriveAlert and look out 👀
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GDOTNE avatarGeorgia DOT - Northeast Region@GDOTNE·
13 Dec 2021 1470463035219320837

⚠️Jackson County⚠️ Look out 👀 for the minor traffic shift on I-85 both northbound and southbound near SR 53 Monday (12/13) and Tuesday (12/14) nights in Braselton for the #85Widening project. #DriveAlert #moveoverGA https://mailchi.mp/dot.ga.gov/jackson-county-lane-shift-on-i-85-widening-in-braselton

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: ⚠️Jackson County⚠️ Look out 👀
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