Interstate 85 Express Lanes To Be Extended in Gwinnett

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Construction on an extension of Interstate 85's express lanes in Gwinnett County officially got under way on Wednesday.

The Georgia Department of Transportation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the $178 million project, which will add 10 new miles of toll lanes extending north from where the highway's express lanes currently end.

"As the I-85 corridor continues to see steady growth, the need for enhanced mobility options is even more critical," said DOT Deputy Commissioner Mike Dover. "The new I-85 express lanes extension will improve traffic flow and increase mobility options for people who travel the area, including motorists, transit and registered van pool customers. This project addresses one of the region’s most congested commuter corridors."

The project calls for adding one express toll lane in each direction of I-85, extending existing express lanes from Old Peachtree Road to Hamilton Mill Road.

Upon completion, they will be managed by a variable-priced tolling system just like the 16 miles of current express lanes in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

The project is expected to be completed by summer of 2018.

In addition to the new express lanes, the project includes resurfacing existing travel lanes within the project's limits and construction of two new auxiliary lanes -- northbound between Ga. 20 and the Gravel Springs Road overpass and southbound between Ga. 20 and Ga. 137/Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

The new auxiliary lanes are designed to help keep traffic moving in a congested area of the corridor.

The project also includes an extended Interstate 85 southbound bridge and a new express lanes bridge northbound at the I-85/I-985 interchange.