Feds Approve I-285, GA 400 Interchange Funding Plan

The Federal Highway Administration has approved the Atlanta Transportation Improvement Plan, which includes funding for Interstate 285/Georgia 400 interchange project, Governor Nathan Deal said on Tuesday.

The agency determined the plan met federal air quality regulations — the final hurdle in moving the project forward and delivering congestion relief to the more than 400,000 motorists,” Deal’s office said in a press release.

“These interchange improvements are crucial to improving Georgia’s transportation infrastructure and expanding our role as a major logistics hub for global commerce,” Deal said. “We are utilizing all the tools that the state has available — accrued motor fuel revenues, authorized bonds, private participation through the Perimeter CIDs, Georgia’s strong AAA bond rating and an improved schedule of debt payments — to facilitate this project and provide much needed relief for commuters and area businesses. This decision is good news for Georgia, and especially the metro region. Now that our funding plan has been approved, we can begin construction on a project that will certainly provide important economic and quality of life benefits for many years to come.”

The improvements include the construction of new flyover ramps, new collector-distributor lanes and other facilities to aid east-west travel on along I-285 and north-south travel along Georgia 400.

“This project will be a game-changer, offering significant improvements in mobility not only in all areas touched by the 400/285 interchange, but in the surface streets that connect to this corridor,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul. “It is a major step forward in the infrastructure of this region.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation estimates the design-build cost to be $1.06 billion. In May, the governor and GDOT board members approved the sale of $130 million in previously authorized bonds and the use of $81.5 million in accrued state motor fuel funds to accelerate the project.

To complete the funding of the improvements, GDOT will utilize a public-private partnership model.

“This project is a top priority for metro Atlanta, as interchange improvements will alleviate congestion, create jobs and grow businesses,” said GDOT Commissioner Keith Golden. “We now have the go-ahead to move forward with these improvements, and we’re excited about that. Once complete, this interchange will become a key asset to our transportation infrastructure, helping move people and goods more efficiently.”

The Georgia General Assembly, the GDOT Board, the Atlanta Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee, the Atlanta Regional Commission Board, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board and the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts worked cooperatively to see this project through to fruition.

“Governor Deal’s directive to accelerate construction for Georgia’s largest surface transportation project, the congested I-285 at 400 corridor, is unprecedented,” said Yvonne Williams, president and CEO of Perimeter Community Improvement Districts. “With approved environmental clearance underway, we look forward to a construction start in 2016. PCIDs’ partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation continues to be successful in delivering much-needed transportation infrastructure improvements to Perimeter – Georgia’s Fortune 500 center.”

(Photo credit: Patch file)