GAINESVILLE – Georgia DOT updates next week’s construction plans on the reconstruction of the I-985 interchange at Exit 16 in Oakwood.

“Weather permitting, next week is a very exciting week for the Exit 16 reconstruction project! We are switching from the old exit ramps to the new exit ramps! Monday the 20^th the northbound ramp will switch. If you are coming north on I-985 you will get off the interstate about ¼ mile sooner than using the old ramps. Thursday the 23^rd, the southbound exit ramp will switch. Traveling south on I-985 you will get off at the sign that reads “Exit 17”. That exit location is about ½ mile sooner than the old location. We need you to know the new ramps will only have a one right turn lane and one left turn lane. There will not be a left and right or shared turn lanes at the ends of the exit ramps like there is now. Please slow down, pay extra attention and follow the signs and barrels and you will go where you need to go,” said Teri Pope DOT Communications Officer.

Daily next week there will be lane closures on I-985 if weather allows. Monday, 20^th from 9:00am to 4:00pm the inside or left lane of I-985 north and south from north of the Elachee Bridge to 1 mile south of SR 53 will be closed for mowing. Tuesday, 21^st through Thursday, 23^rd the outside or right lane of I-985 south will be closed from north of the Elachee Bridge to SR 53 so crews can move temporary barrier wall from the outside shoulder of the road. No lane closures are planned for I-985 north Tuesday through Thursday.

Delays are expected daily on the Interstate southbound around Exit 16; about one mile north and south of the interchange at State Route 53/Mundy Mill Road.  The speed limit on I-985 within the construction project limits; north of the Elachee Bridge to about 1 mile south of Exit 16 – State Route 53 has been lowered to 60 miles per hour. ALL fines are doubled in DOT work zones.

Pope concluded, “The best way for you to know which lanes are closing if any are closing on this and all of our construction projects is to check with our website www.georgianavigator.com – the site has real time information on not only construction but also crashes that affect your drive. Remember, the more you know the quicker you’ll go!”

The overall projected completion date is February 10, 2010 and its construction cost is over $74.6 million.