The Georgia Department of Transportation announces road openings tonight as part of the reconstruction of the I-85 and SR 316 interchange in Gwinnett County. New collector distributor (CD) lanes on I-85 north between Pleasant Hill Road and Boggs Road and the exit ramp from SR 316 east to Boggs Road opened at 1:53 a.m..  In addition, the exit ramp from I-85 NB to SR 120 will be moved south.

“The collector distributor system mirrors the southbound system that opened to traffic last October. It allows you to get on at Pleasant Hill Road and get off at Boggs Road, Sugarloaf Parkway or SR 120 without ever getting on the interstate. This opening will help traffic flow by allowing people just going a few exits to do that without using the interstate. Please pay attention as you use the new CD system because the decision points are new for SR 316, Boggs Rd and SR 120,” explained DOT District Engineer Russell McMurry.

Motorists from Pleasant Hill Road automatically merge into the northbound CD system and parallel the interstate until merging onto I-85 north of Old Peachtree Road. The relocated exit ramp from I-85 north to SR 120 is about 1½ miles south of the old ramp. Traffic traveling from Pleasant Hill Road to SR 316 east will not have to get onto the interstate; access will be via the new CD lanes directly to SR 316.

The overall project is ahead of schedule for its December 31, 2008 completion date. “Work will continue on the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-85 and on SR 316 including the bridges that are a part of that system. Crews still must resurface I-85 from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Old Peachtree Road and replace the deck or driving surface of the I-85 bridges over Sweetwater Creek. The new CD system and SR 316 to Herrington Road will be resurfaced as well.  Installation of an extensive drainage system also continues,” concluded McMurry.

The estimated construction cost of this project is $147 million.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this project. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, construction, 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. Georgia 511 – we’ll get you there

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 Web site (www.dot.ga.gov).