Georgia DOT held two pubic information open houses last week offering residents a first glimpse at proposed improvements to the I-20 / I-285 interchange in DeKalb County. The improvements are part of the Major Mobility Improvement Program.
Construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2022 and open to traffic in 2025. Total project costs are estimated at $530 million.
The most notable proposed improvements include new fly-over ramps for I-20 westbound to I-285 southbound and I-285 southbound to I-20 eastbound. The ramp from I-20 westbound to I-285 northbound will also be reconstructed.
The project includes the addition of a collector-distributor system between Wesley Chapel Road and I-285 along I-20 westbound. Auxiliary lanes will be added on I-20 and I-285, and three bridges will be replaced: Miller Road, I-20 over Snapfinger Creek, and Fairington Road.
An animated preview of the project is available on YouTube. Documents from the open houses, including the full conceptual layouts, are available to view on the state DOT’s website.
Panola Road Reconstruction and Widening
A separate project planned within the overall footprint of the interchange modifications will reconstruct and widen Panola Road (I-20 exit 71). The project includes converting the exit into a diverging diamond interchange with eight lanes (four through lanes and four turning lanes).
The project is 0.6 miles in length and will install a center median along Panola Road where there is currently none. The improvements represent one of five projects programmed along Panola Road to provide improvements between SR 155 and US 278.
The project is scheduled to start construction in FY 2027. Total project costs are estimated at $61.4 million.
Travels Tuesday is a weekly post looking at transportation projects throughout the state of Georgia. Moving Henry Forward has previously showcased the following projects in the Major Mobility Investment Program:
