The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Georgia will receive a $184 million grant to install express lanes along State Route (SR) 400 in Forsyth and Fulton counties.
The grant was awarded under the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program.
The project calls for two new express lanes in each direction on SR 400 between I-285 and McGinnis Ferry Road. It includes one express lane in each direction from McGinnis Ferry Road to McFarland Parkway.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.8 billion. It’s a public-private partnership that will add 65 lane miles. It’s expected to reduce traffic delays by up to 18 percent, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
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GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry joined USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao at a press conference Friday in Washington, D.C. announcing the awards.
“Georgia is fortunate to have devoted advocates in Washington championing transportationprogress for our state,” says McMurry. “Senators Isakson and Perdue, Congresswoman Handel and Congressman Woodall continue to fight for our vital infrastructure, and the awarding of this grant reflects their dedication to keeping Georgians moving forward.
The commissioner thanked Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Cagle and Speaker Ralston for their “vision and support in bringing the SR 400 Express Lanes project and many others to fruition.”
Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.), who voted to implement INFRA in 2015, welcomed news of the investment.
“The DOT believes that this project would help the local economy by decreasing travel times and increasing the movement of both people and goods, and I agree,” says Collins. “Expanding SR-400 represents a smart investment in Northeast Georgia, and I applaud the DOT for proposing it.”
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 5 released a list of the 26 projects selected to receive grants. The SR 400 Express Lane Project is the single-largest award for FY 2017-2018.
The project is part of GDOT’s Major Mobility Investment Program which aims to reduce traffic delays across the state by 2030.
Crews will begin construction on the SR 400 express lanes in 2021.
file photo/GDOT
