441
59
75
GEORGIA STATE EDITION
Cornella 19
A Supplement to:
Rome 85 27
Athens 441
Atlanta
20
Madison Augusta
85
20
Griffin 1
129
Milledgeville
75
La Grange
Macon
301
185 19
16
Dublin
Swainsboro Oak Park
Columbus
Statesboro
341 441 16
Lyons Americus
June 10 2015
Dorchester
341
Cuthbert
75
Albany
84
Douglas Tifton
82
95
82
Blakely
Pearson 27
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
301
1
82
Vol. XVII • No. 12
Savannah
McRae Cordele
27
84
Moultrie
19 319
Bainbridge
84
Valdosta Thomasville
Waycross Brunswick 82
1 441
Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Northwest Corridor Project Makes History in Georgia
The Northwest Corridor project aims to make transportation improvements to I-75 and I-575 in the Northwest Corridor.
As the most expensive highway project in Georgia’s history, the nearly $1 billion Northwest Corridor project will add nearly 30 mi. (48.2 km) of reversible toll lanes along interstates 75 and 575 through Cobb and Cherokee counties. The managed lanes project was designed to bring relief to motorists using the corridor, which is one of the region’s most congested thoroughfares. “The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes project (NWC) is vital to the state of Georgia because it will help reduce congestion, provide more reliable travel times and help improve air quality in a heavily traveled region,” said John D. Hancock, assistant state innovative delivery engineer. “NWC will offer both drivers and transit customers a more reliable trip time, improve traffic flow and provide travel options. When time is most valuable, drivers will have the option of choosing the express lanes to bypass congestion when they desire. “As the Atlanta region grows in population, so do the needs of the traveling public. This project will help support Atlanta’s regional transit vision by improving transit on these key links to the integrated transit system. Depending on the length and direction of the commute, travel time savings for the NWC, compared to the NoBuild Alternative for 2018, are projected to range from 5 to 43 minutes. It’s also important to note that transit buses and registered van pools will be able to travel in the lanes for no additional fee, offering their customers a more reliable trip time.” The Northwest Corridor project aims to make transportation improvements to I-75 and I-575 in the Northwest Corridor. The proposed improvements include the addition of managed lanes on both I-75 and I-575 within the project area from Akers Mill/I-285 north to Hickory Grove Road. Access points along I-75 are proposed at I-285, Terrell Mill Road, Roswell Road, I-575, Big Shanty Road and Hickory Grove Road. Along I-575, the proposed improvements include the addition of a managed lane system in the median between the I-75/I-575 interchange and Sixes Road. The managed lane system on I-575 could, as an option, include slip ramp access between the managed lane and the general-purpose lane systems, rather than direct access interchanges at Big Shanty Road, Shallowford
By Cindy Riley
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Throughout the project, GDOT anticipates the use of 16 cranes for substructure and superstructure work, installation of pre-cast beams and steel girders.
Construction will continue north up I-75, and the alignment shifts to the median of I-75 just north of the I-75/I-575 split.
Road and Dupree Road. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) selected Northwest Express Roadbuilders, a joint venture of Hubbard Construction Company of Winter Park, Fla., Parson’s Transportation Group of Pasadena, Calif., and Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta to perform construction. Work began in October 2014, with the project slated for completion by spring 2018. The developer proposed a construction phasing plan to work in various areas of the 30-mi. corridor, but it will be completed as one project. “Construction is beginning to gear up, and is visible throughout the entire length of the project,” said Hancock. “Significant activity can be seen right now at the Canton Road area, where a bridge over one-mile long is currently being constructed. Activity at the I285/I-75 juncture is also increasing where motorists can see extensive work building the bridges that will connect express lane traffic to I-285. Work on five bridges and roadway drainage is currently under way in the median on I-575. Hickory Grove Road over I-75, which is a new express lane interchange, is currently being replaced. “Unlike delivery methods for other projects, the design-build-finance delivery for the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes project involves a construction schedule that will continue to evolve as the designbuilder moves through the process of optimizing all aspects of design. This project involves substantial amount of bridge work, which will constitute the bulk of construction activity throughout the life of the project.” Construction expected in 2015 includes more than three-dozen bridges, with eight of the bridges set for completion this year. Another 22 bridges will be under construction by the end of 2015. In addition, 63 retaining walls and 34 retaining walls are scheduled for completion this year. Roadwork includes drainage, embankment, subgrade, base and paving. In the I-75/I-285 interchange, roadwork will continue throughout 2015, as the interchange bridge work continues. I-75 southbound will be permanently shifted to the new pavement and bridge over Terrill Mill Road, from Delk Road down to Windy Hill Road. see HIGHWAY page 6