Motorists on I-985 northbound will have access to State Route 13 as the massive $75 million interchange reconstruction project in Oakwood moves forward.  By noon today, the Georgia Department of Transportation opened the new northbound on-ramp from State Route 13 to I-985, and Georgia DOT will re-open the Park-N-Ride on Wallis Road for carpoolers. 

Tomorrow at 6:00 a.m., crews will temporarily close the northbound on-ramp from State Route 53 to      I-985; shift traffic on I-985. The new exit ramp from I-985 south to SR 13 opened last week.

“The business community on SR 53 needs to know that SR 53 will not be affected,” said District Engineer Russell McMurry.  “Customers will have full access to all of the businesses.”

Motorists travelling eastbound on SR 53 can access I-985 northbound by using the new connector road in front of Gainesville State College and the new SR 13 northbound ramp.  Westbound motorists on SR 53 will simply use SR 13 as the detour.  The SR 53 northbound ramp is scheduled to re-open by March 1, 2009.

The project, which began in June 2006, includes building the new access point from I-985 to SR 13; creating a new entrance to Gainesville State College and Lanier Technical College; widening Mundy Mill and Atlanta Highway; and building three new bridges.

The projected completion date is February 10, 2010.

“The business community on SR 53 needs to know that SR 53 will not be affected,” said District Engineer Russell McMurry.  “Customers will have full access to all of the businesses.”

With the closure of the northbound ramp tomorrow, detours will be in place.  Motorists travelling eastbound on SR 53 can access I-985 northbound by using the new connector road in front of Gainesville State College and the new SR 13 northbound ramp.  Westbound motorists on SR 53 will simply use SR 13 as the detour.  The SR 53 northbound ramp is scheduled to be re-opened by March 1, 2009.

The project, which began in June 2006, includes building the new access point from I-985 to SR 13; creating a new entrance to Gainesville State College and Lanier Technical College; widening Mundy Mill and Atlanta Highway; and building three new bridges.

The overall projected completion date is February 10, 2010.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to bad weather. Callers can also reach live operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment.  For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our website (www.dot.ga.gov).