DOT wants to expand express lanes along I-85 in Gwinnett

ATLANTA - State road planners are looking at building new express lanes along I-85 in northern Gwinnett County.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has scheduled two open house meetings in March to outline plans for the I-85 Express Lanes Project.

All 10 miles of the project will be located inside Gwinnett County and will include the construction of new lanes along I-85 northbound and southbound between Old Peachtree and Hamilton Mill Roads.

Teri Pope with the DOT said the new lanes will be a combination of HOV and toll lanes. In other words, those commuting alone will have the option of using the lanes as long as they are paying for use; vehicles carrying two or more commuters may use the lanes at no charge.

According to a plan outline, the goal is to have the new lanes ready for use by 2017.

The express lanes will be new lanes and not created from existing lanes on the freeway, thus expanding the capacity of I-85.

The open house dates for the project are:

March 21
4 p.m. - to 7 p.m.
Gwinnett Center in the Atrium on Sugarloaf Parkway

March 28
4 p.m. - to 7 p.m.
The Community Room at the Police and Municipal Building in Braselton

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