Georgia DOT to Open New Lanes on I-85 in Jackson County

The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced an additional lane on Interstate 85 between State Route (SR) 53 to south of the SR 332 overpass is set to open early next month.

The new lane opening is part of the I-85 Widening, Phase 2 project one of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) projects.

Weather permitting, four of the first 6.7 miles of the project will open the new third lane the first weekend in October, nearly two months ahead of schedule.

The project will widen I-85 north and southbound from two to three lanes between SR 53 and US 129 in Jackson County.

The project is also replacing and widening six mainline bridges on I-85 and one overpass bridge at SR 332, which opened in late August after a seven-month closure.

This endeavor is a continuation of the I-85 Widening, Phase 1 project completed in 2020.

Georgia DOT project manager Butch Welch said in a press release that the opening of the first four miles is a significant milestone for motorists who travel this corridor, the project, and the MMIP as whole.

In addition to added lane capacity, the I-85 Widening, Phase 2 project is expected to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance mobility on I-85 in Jackson County, a well-traveled corridor heading into and out of South Carolina.

The project also sets the stage for the long-range plan to widen I-85 from Banks County to the South Carolina state line and supports the development of technologies and workforce capabilities.

The completed project is expected to add highway capacity for over 100,000 vehicles with an estimated 69% reduction in delays in the corridor.

The I-85 Widening, Phase II project will be delivered and open to traffic four years ahead of the original schedule, which estimated construction completion in 2028.