Commuting Blog
A year after groundbreaking, toll lanes take shape on I-75, I-575
Construction is ongoing for the Northwest Corridor express lane project, which will add 29.7 miles of reversible toll lanes in the I-75/I-575 corridor. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM
The reversible toll lanes project along I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee Counties broke ground a year ago.
The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes will be a separate, 30-mile-long tollway that will let drivers who are willing to pay avoid the congestion on two of metro Atlanta area's busiest interstates. And transit bus riders will be able to ride in the lanes for free.
So where does the "Northwest Corridor" -- the largest and most expensive state road project to date -- stand today? According to a recent Georgia Department of Transportation newsletter:
- Eight of the project's 39 bridges will be completed this year. Another 22 will be under construction by the end of the year. The bridge spans are 16 percent complete, while the bridge columns are 32 percent complete.
- Twelve percent of the project walls are complete. Builders expect to have 20 of 63 walls completed by end of 2015, with the last wall scheduled to be finished in January 2017.
- Of the 10 miles of express lane that will run in the median of I-575, 2.5 miles have been paved with asphalt.
- Construction is set to start on 18 more retaining walls, three toll zones and 45 sound barrier walls, as well as installation of overhead signs.
- 1 new ramp has been completed; 5 ramps are currently under construction.
You can follow the progress of the construction on GDOT's Express Lanes website.
