Georgia 24, November 29, 2023

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The third and final phase of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s I-85 Widening Project is under way, where crews are performing work on 13 mi. of highway from U.S. 129 (Exit 137) to U.S. 441.

Construction began in summer 2022 and completion is anticipated for fall 2024.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is in the process of improving 21 mi. of I-85 by making construction upgrades to the highway in different phases.

The final portion of the project — Phase III — currently is under way and will see crews widen I-85 from two to three lanes in both directions (NB and SB) from U.S. 129 (Exit 137) to U.S. 441 (149), approximately 13 mi. of roadway. Four bridges within the project limits will be widened as well.

Widening the highway will create additional capacity for more reliable travel times, more efficient movement of freight and enhanced mobility on I-85 in Jackson and Banks counties, a well-traveled corridor heading into

and out of South Carolina.

The project sets the stage for the long-range plan to widen I-85 to the South Carolina state line and supports the development of technologies and workforce capabilities.

This portion of the project complements other roadway and transportation improvements, such as new roads, road repairs and bridge modernizations to spur statewide economic and community development.

Parts of Phase III include: • The project is being constructed in 1-mi. segments, with work currently happening in alternating miles; see I-85 page 6

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GDOT Continues Progress On Improving 21 Mi. of I-85 I-85 from page 1

• Throughout the corridor, temporary concrete barriers and grading and drainage work are currently in progress; • Work on the bridges over the North Oconee River and Ridgeway Church Road is ongoing. The bridge substructures are in progress, with columns and retaining wall construction under way; • Construction began in summer 2022 and completion is anticipated for fall 2024; Upon completion, construction crews are planning to continue adding additional lanes on I-85 all the way to the South Carolina state line, but no word on when they plan to start that project.

Completed Construction Phase II of the project saw the widening of I-85 from two to three lanes in both directions from SR 53 (Exit 129) to just north of U.S. 129 (Exit 137). Additional work on the project included replacing one overpass bridge and six mainline bridges along I-85. All new lanes are complete, as well as all seven bridges for this portion of project.

“This has been a major priority for the department,” said Georgia DOT Project Manager Albert “Butch” Welch. “We are thrilled to have this project open to traffic so far ahead of our initial estimates. Creating additional lane space along a pathway to and from South Carolina and through such an important corridor for the traveling public has been a goal for us and we are excited to share this piece with the public.”

“Finding safer and faster options for Georgia's traveling public is always paramount for the department,” said Georgia DOT P3 Construction Manager Andrew Hoenig.

“We are excited to be able to provide additional capacity in

this key corridor and a safer pathway for travelers to reach their destinations.”

Phase I of the I-85 widening project was the first of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) projects to start construction. It opened to traffic on June 19, 2020, 41 days ahead of schedule. This project provided relief to motorists in this heavily congested area by widening I-85 from two to three lanes in both directions from I-985 to SR 53 in Gwinnett, Barrow and Jackson counties. The project consisted of reducing the grass median with a paved shoulder and median barrier; replacing three overpass bridges (Spout Springs Road bridge, Flowery Branch Road bridge and Jesse Cronic Road bridge) that were more than 50-yearsold; upgraded signing, striping and guardrail.  (All photos courtesy of Georgia Department of Transportation.)

Throughout the corridor, temporary concrete barriers and grading and drainage work are currently in progress.

Work on the bridges over the North Oconee River and Ridgeway Church Road is ongoing. The bridge substructures are in progress, with columns and retaining wall construction under way.

Savannah Convention Center Expansion Hit With Another Delay The planned expansion of the Savannah Convention Center has been pushed to a late May 2024 material completion date, although that target is pending resolution of a sitework design for its east side, prompting concern that the new space may not be ready for visitors already booked that month.

The Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority heard a presentation Nov. 8 at its monthly meeting from the project’s general contractor, Clark Construction, regarding the expansion’s updated timeline.

Authority officials were given the latest news after the project’s end date had already been delayed numerous times.

“We have commitments for that space going forward, so it’s alarming to say the least,” Joseph Marinelli, vice chairman of the authority and president of Visit Savannah, told the Savannah Morning News.

Based on Clark Construction’s latest timeline, the additions to the convention center could finish life safety inspections by the end of March, the newspaper reported. Mark Blackmon, a vice president of the company, said those inspections are a key target.

During his presentation before the Savannah authority, he explained that the

inspections would be the minimum needed to host conventions and exhibitions, although exterior sitework completion would remain ongoing. However, he also said there is still a need to come together on a project design for the expansion’s east side.

To tackle the design resolution and keep to the proposed timeline, Blackmon explained there needs to be coordination between the architect, fire marshal and construction team to plan which steps need completion to hit the project’s completion goals.

The lead architecture company on the Savannah Convention Center’s expansion is TVS Design, which has created blueprints and renderings for similar buildings around the world.

“We just need to get on the same page,” Blackmon said.

When it is completed, the $276 million expansion project is planned to double the Savannah Convention Center’s exhibit hall space to 200,000 sq. ft., add 40,000 sq. ft. of additional ballroom, and a new 900-space parking garage.

In addition, the facility, first opened in 2000 and located on Hutchinson Island across the Savannah River from the city’s Historic District, will feature:

tion center from the Westin property, although a developer of the property has not yet been announced.

Savannah Convention Center rendering

When it is completed, the $276 million expansion project is planned to double the Savannah Convention Center’s exhibit hall space to 200,000 sq. ft., add 40,000 sq. ft. of additional ballroom and a new 900-space parking garage.

• Thirty-two customizable breakout rooms.

• A new 58-ft.-wide hangar door.

• Additional outdoor space to enjoy Savannah’s beautiful weather.

• A new facility entrance with an all-glass façade.

• A connection to the 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor Hotel, located adjacent to the venue. Another hotel also is planned to be built on the opposite side of the conven-

Delays Would Mean Substantial Loss of Revenue Currently, there are five events booked in the new space for May 2024, the Savannah news source reported.

If the venue were to miss out on its May clients, it is looking at a potential $551,000 loss in revenue, said Stephen Hall, interim general manager of the Savannah Convention Center. If delays stretched into June, where there are currently three events scheduled for the expansion space, it would be an additional $250,000 loss, he explained.

But more than just the numbers, there were commitments made to customers who planned their events and conventions for the center. Many of them cannot be booked to other locations due to size or other events, authority board members said during the Nov. 8 meeting.

“From a reputation perspective, we want to deliver on the promises made to our customers,” Marinelli noted in speaking to the Morning News. “It can be frustrating when construction delays can impact that.” 

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