Georgia Department of Transportation launched its statewide summer construction season—the busiest in years—with 539 road improvement projects that support Georgia’s growing economy and improve mobility, safety and travel times. These construction and maintenance projects, representing an allocation of approximately $3.9 billion, are part of Georgia DOT’s overall transportation investment. This summer, the Department also has an urgent safety reminder for motorists: be alert and use extra caution in work zones. “As summer construction shifts into high gear, we call on drivers to partner with us for safety,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “Please buckle up, limit distractions, stay alert behind the wheel, and help us protect the lives of workers in construction work zones.” Georgia DOT’s 2017 summer construction projects include Express Lanes, highway widenings, bridge replacements, interchange improvements, and maintenance on state routes and interstates across the state.

GDOT has launched a Summer 2017 Construction webpage to keep motorists informed about key summer construction activities. On a rotating basis, the page profiles major-impact statewide projects. Visit http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/SummerConstruction. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead. Call 511 or visit 511ga.org for real-time information on active construction, incidents and road conditions. The 511 website also provides a complete list of summer construction projects. The first featured project on GDOT’s summer construction webpage is Transform 285/400, the major interchange improvement project at Interstate 285 and State Route 400, one of metro Atlanta’s busiest interchanges. The project, designed to help reduce traffic congestion and enhance safety, includes new flyover ramps, new collector-distributor lanes and other enhancements to aid east-west travel along I-285 and north-south travel along SR 400. Summer activities include tree clearing, utility relocations and the beginning of construction on the Mount Vernon Highway bridge replacement. Estimated completion is mid-2020 at a cost of $800 million. Major impact projects in metro Atlanta also include the continued construction the 30 mile I-75

Northwest Corridor, which adds two reversible Express Lanes on portions of I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties. The 12.7 mile project of pavement replacement on I-20 in Carroll County tops the list of major impact projects in northwest Georgia. Other significant projects in this 17 county area also include the reconstruction of the historical interchange of US 41 and US 411/GA 61 in Bartow County, the I-75/Carbondale Road interchange in Whitfield County and the widening project on GA 140 in Bartow and Floyd counties. Major impact projects across the state that will be featured include widening and reconstruction on SR 400 in Forsyth County; pavement replacement on I-20 in Columbia and McDuffie counties; interchange improvements on I-16/I-75 in Bibb County; resurfacing on I-75 in Lowndes County; preservation of 22 bridges on I-95 in Chatham County; and pavement replacement and rehabilitation on I-20 in Carroll County. Georgia DOT is working hard to make the road work as non-disruptive to the public as possible. However, the Department advises motorists to prepare for ongoing lane closures and traffic delays throughout the summer.

To survive summer construction, the Department offers the following tips:

- Plan ahead. Before you get behind the wheel, call 511 or visit 511ga.org for real-time information on active construction, incidents, road conditions and more.

- Drive Alert and Arrive Alive. Keep the smartphone out of reach until you complete your drive. And wear your seatbelt!

- Seek traffic-reducing commute options like carpool or public transit. Visit 511ga.org or http://GaCommuteOptions.com/.

- Use extra caution in work zones: pay attention, slow down, and watch for workers. Work zone safety is in your hands.