G-DOT Announces Lane Shifts on I-85 This Weekend

Motorists can expect more traffic shifts on I-85 this weekend.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said beginning today, traffic shifts will occur along I-85 northbound and southbound over the North Oconee River.

The traffic shift follows the shift to the other new mainline bridges over Ridgeway Church Road, which was completed last November.

Overnight tonight, the existing two lanes of traffic on I-85 northbound will shift left to the new bridge between Mile Markers 144 and 145.

Then, Saturday evening, crews will implement the same shift southbound, between MM 145 and144, moving the two lanes of traffic to the new travel lanes on the left.

Motorists should expect to see overnight delays tonight and Saturday night as crews implement traffic pacing in order to finalize the shifts.

The traffic shifts facilitate the next phase of I-85 mainline bridge construction over the North Oconee River, which will be performed as nighttime operations.

Following these shifts, crews will proceed with the demolition and replacement of the old structures.

The I-85 Widening, Phase III project is expected to improve traffic flow by widening the interstate from two to three lanes from US 129 to US 441 in Jackson and Banks counties, which is a heavily traveled corridor.

It’s also expected to create additional capacity for more reliable travel times and more efficient movement of freight.

Additionally, G-DOT says the I-85 Widening, Phase III project sets the stage for the department’s long-range plan to widen I-85 all the way to the South Carolina state line.