Georgia DOT, Gwinnett County initiate I-85 study

© Georgia DOT

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Gwinnett County officials said they would jointly conduct a comprehensive corridor study along I-85, between I-285 and I-985.

The I-85 Corridor Study (85 Study) area would extend 18 miles, and be primarily located in Gwinnett, with a small portion in DeKalb County, spanning from I-285/Spaghetti Junction to I-985 and resulting in proposed recommendations to improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance traffic operations along the corridor.

Stakeholder and public engagement is expected to yield a wide range of potential alternatives that will be identified and analyzed, officials said, noting recommendations will be developed for implementation.

The initiative will serve as Georgia’s first time leveraging a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) framework. The PEL process is a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that both considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation planning process and utilizes information and products to inform future project-level environmental reviews.

The 85 Study outreach includes engagement at public open house sessions, as well as community events. More information about the I-85 Corridor Study can be found on the project website.