Georgia DOT speeds up work on truck-only lanes

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) says that they are ahead of schedule to open up the truck-only interstate lanes.

The I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes project will create two barrier-separated commercial vehicle-only lanes northbound along I-75 from approximately the I-475/I-75 Interchange near Macon to the McDonough area, GDOT says.

The project will span five Georgia counties and will cost an estimated $1.8 billion.

The 40 miles of truck-only lanes will be the first of their kind in the U.S.

The truck-only lanes will not be tolled, GDOT says.

GDOT says that the purpose of the project is to cut down on traffic congestion in the metro Atlanta area caused in part by the expansion of the Port of Savannah. Officials also say that the truck-only lanes will improve safety for both truckers and passenger vehicle drivers.

Construction is expected to begin on the I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes project in 2024 and lasting through 2028. According to a fact sheet on the project, “Georgia DOT has determined this project can be accelerated to open to traffic nearly two years earlier than originally scheduled.”