The Georgia Department of Transportation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes that opened to traffic on Sept. 8.
The $834 million project began construction in October 2014. It added 29.7 miles of reversible, barrier-separated express lanes along I-75 from Akers Mill Road to Hickory Grove Road, and along I-575 from I-75 to Sixes Road.
The new lanes operate southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening during peak travel times. They are open to drivers with a Peach Pass in vehicles with two axles and six wheels or less.
Fees are waived for emergency vehicles, registered transit, and vanpools. The State Road and Tollway Authority manage the pricing.
“A robust transportation network is one of the most vital components for sustained economic development and establishing solid infrastructure is essential for managing the transportation needs of our residents, business community and visitors,” Gov. Nathan Deal said. “This corridor of I-75 has seen significant growth in the past two decades, and while no one strategy can wholly eliminate traffic congestion, we are combining innovative transportation options like reversible express lanes to ensure more consistent and reliable trip times.”
The project is the largest of its kind in Georgia’s history.