Construction will begin soon on a new right-turn lane off I-575 Exit 19 in Canton that will make it easier for first responders to reach Northside Hospital Cherokee, the Georgia Department of Transportation announced.

The new lane, at the top of a ramp from northbound I-575, will allow motorists to turn onto Cumming Highway (Ga. 20) without having to yield to oncoming traffic, GDOT said. The quick-response project is to begin in April and be finished in about two months.

State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) coordinated the project with GDOT after hearing requests from constituents, the state transportation agency said. The work will be funded entirely by the state.

"Adding a third right lane to the exit ramp will keep traffic moving that has an urgent need to get to the hospital," said GDOT District Six Engineer Grant Waldrop. Information: https://bit.ly/3aAypi9