GA-400, I-285 Reconstruction Project Clears Federal Hurdle

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The Georgia Department of Transportation this week received notification from the Federal Highway Administration of the acceptance of two components for the project designed to improve the Interstate 285 interchange at S.R. 400 in Sandy Springs.

The state agency was informed that the Environmental Assessment FONSI (finding of no significant impact) for the I-285/GA-400 interchange reconstruction and the Environmental Assessment Re-Evaluation FONSI for the companion collector-distributor lanes segment were both accepted by the FHWA.

GDOT was notified by FHWA that approval had been granted on both open environmental documents, which the agency said clears the way for the project to move into the procurement phase and ultimate selection of a design-build-finance team.

Estimated at $1.1 billion for total project costs, the reconfiguration of the interchange and collector-distributor lanes along the corridor targets one of metro Atlanta areas most congested locations. Each day, more than 400,000 vehicles travel through the interchange, GDOT says.

“This is an amazing win for our team to be able to obtain approved environmental documents in such a short time frame,” said Russell McMurry, Georgia DOT Commissioner. “Working with our partners on the project and collaborating with FHWA to meet tight deadlines resulted in the success we have today, and I am confident that we will continue that positive trend as we move forward with the project.”

Currently, four teams are short listed to provide competitive bid packages highlighting innovation in design and construction aspects of the new interchange project. Proposals are due in September and the apparent awardee will be announced in December. The project is anticipated to open to traffic in 2020.

Yvonne Williams, president and CEO of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, noted the importance of the state’s largest project to the area.

“We have a positive history of moving projects ahead by working with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Governor (Nathan) Deal on strategic transportation investments,“ Williams stated. “PCIDs are proud to work with our federal, statewide and regional partners once again in innovative project delivery.”

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Photo credit: Patch file