The ribbons are cut and the ramps of I-985’s new Exit 14 are officially open as of Tuesday morning.
Following a 10:30 a.m. dedication ceremony, motorists were able to start using the entrance and exit ramps off what is now known as "The Atlanta Falcons Training Facility Interchange."
"Folks, it's a great day for for the Falcons and a great day for Hall County," said State Sen. Butch Miller to a round of applause from dignitaries gathered on the Atlanta Highway side of the new exit.
State Rep. Emory Dunahoo led the legislative charge to name the interchange in honor of the Atlanta Falcons,since the team's training facility is located on Atlanta Highway at Hog Mountain Road, easily accessible now via the new exit.
"Traffic will move so much smoother," Dunahoo said after he read the resolution aloud during the dedication ceremony. Dunahoo also said he expects commercial growth on either side of the new exit, boosting the economy for the Flowery Branch area.
Brandon Kirby, Georgia Department of Transportation Engineer for District 1, noted that he had received some questions about why the ramps were opening before the interstate bridge was ready, and he said GDOT had a number of reasons for doing so.
"It enables connectivity, it provides choices for the traveling public, it provides congestion relief, it gives alternates for the a.m. and p.m. commutes and it enhances freight mobility," he said.
Kirby did not have a specific opening date for the bridge. Construction on that portion of the interchange was delayed when the contractor discovered problems with materials earlier this year and had to re-work the bridge surface.
"We anticipate that [the bridge opening] in a couple of months or less," Kirby said.
