The new I-75 project is the most expensive in Henry County
Last month, MHF News brought the news that the Georgia Department of Transportation will be undertaking major upgrades on I-75 in Henry County. Now we have more details on the cost of the project and when motorists can expect it to be completed.
Currently, Henry County has two reversible express lanes in the median of Interstate 75. Expanding the express lanes on I-75 will build two additional lanes and create a two-way travel option for motorists.
Expansion of express lanes on I-75
The Georgia Department of Transportation has released the first cost estimate for the I-75 freeway expansion. The total cost of the project will be $548 million, of which $48 million will be for planning, $70 million for acquiring rights of way, and $430 million for construction.
The express lanes project is now the most expensive transportation project in Henry County, surpassing the $256 million cost of a new Bethlehem Road exit and the cost of the I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes in Henry County.
The state has allocated $10 million in fiscal year 2024 to jumpstart construction on the new express lanes. These funds have already been approved. The full project schedule can be found below:
The state expects construction to begin in 2029. An estimate for the construction period has not yet been announced. A conservative estimate of three to four years, based on the construction period of the existing express lanes in 2013-2017, would mean the lanes would open in 2032-2033.
Financing the project
In the past, the state has funded the cost of building new express lanes. Future toll revenues will then cover the cost of construction. This month, the state reached an agreement with a private operator for the Georgia 400 express lanes. The developer will foot the bill for the $4.6 billion project. In return, it will receive toll revenues for 50 years. It’s safe to assume that the state will use some form of private financing to expand the express lanes on I-75, as in one of the models mentioned above.
About the project
The I-75 Express Lanes run 12 miles between I-675 in Stockbridge and SR 155 in McDonough. There are currently two reversible lanes that will merge into one lane near the southern terminus. According to state reports, there were more than 4.5 million trips per year on the Express Lanes in fiscal year 2023.
The I-75 Express Lanes Upgrade project will build two additional express lanes. Once completed, drivers will have access to an express lane 24 hours a day in both directions, ending the current reversible arrangement.
Currently, there are express lane entrances at I-675, Jonesboro Road, north of SR 20, and north of SR 155. The project provides an opportunity to upgrade the entrances and add new ones. For example, many Henry County residents have expressed a desire for an express lane exit in the Eagles Landing area.
Visualize the end result
What might the finished highway look like? There are currently no corridors with dual, two-way express lanes in Georgia.
To imagine the end result, we can look at our southern neighbor Florida, for example, where there are four express lanes on I-4 in Orlando.
The big picture: Major transportation projects in Henry County
Before the announcement this summer, Henry County had $1.4 billion available for major transportation projects, including road widening, replacing a highway bridge and new roads planned between now and 2030. That includes part of the cost of commercial vehicle lanes on I-75, with 29% of the project in Henry County.
Following the announcement of the express lanes, the total amount now increases to $1.95 billion.
For the latest updates on all transportation projects in Henry County, see our August 2024 update.
Featured image shows I-75 near McDonough. Photo used with permission; source: Kenjie Photography.
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