Freight News, Logistics, Road

Atlanta Freight Bottleneck Gets Makeover

[ September 10, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

The Georgia Department of Transportation hopes to unclog one of the worst U.S. freight bottlenecks, the Interstate 20/I-285 interchange, with work to begin on a US$1.2 billion project.
The American Transportation Research Institute ranks the I-20/I-285 interchange as the fifth-worst truck bottleneck from among more than 325 locations on the national highway system.
The I-285/I-20 West Interchange limits begin along I-20, from the Factory Shoals Road overpass to the Hamilton E. Holmes Drive interchange, for six miles. Along I-285, the US$1.2 billion project begins just south of the Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway interchange and ends at the MLK Jr. Drive interchange, for two miles. The project will reconstruct and widen several interstate system-to-system ramps and add a combination of collector-distributor/connecting lanes and auxiliary lanes along I-20 west and I-285 north of the interchange.
Proposed improvements to the interchange include:
• Removing left-hand ramp entrance and exit ramps from interchange.
• Improving geometric design and vertical grades.
• Construct two-lane ramps within the interchange.
• Construct westbound collector-distributor lanes, or connecting lanes, from I-285/I-20 West Interchange to Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
• Add lanes along I-20 from Factory Shoals Road to Hamilton E. Holmes Drive.
• Add lanes along I-285 from Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway south to MLK Jr. Drive to accommodate interchange improvements.
• Modify/replace bridge structures and ramps in interchange and along I-20 including those over the Fulton County Railway (CSX RR) and the Chattahoochee River.
“This project is a great opportunity to alleviate congestion and enhance safety for all users,” said Matthew Fowler, project manager, Georgia DOT.
The Commercial Carrier Journal originally reported on the story.

Tags: Georgia Department of Transportation