Gwinnett County commissioners are moving ahead with funding to start acquiring the right of way necessary to construct a new interchange along Interstate 85 at Gravel Springs Road (Ga. 324) in Buford.
The total cost of acquiring the land will be $7.5 million, with $5.98 million possible in federal reimbursements, according to a news release from Gwinnett County.
“Having talked with community leaders throughout the area, we understand that traffic on the two lane connectors crossing the county between Buford and Dacula over I-85 are overloaded,” said District 4 Commissioner John Heard in a statement.
“Putting these ramps onto the interstate from the State Route 324 four-lane connector will tremendously relieve traffic at these two lane-lane crossings. The simple addition of these ramps will change the traffic dynamic in the entire northeast quadrant of the county and is just another step in proving Gwinnett County is the best place to do business in the country."
The Georgia Department of Transportation will likely oversee the project, and construction plans will be completed by Gresham Smith and Partners.
Construction on the project will likely start in late 2018, and take about 18 months, should the weather cooperate.
“While there is an existing bridge over I-85, additional work is required to allow for the on- and off-ramps. We will also add turn lanes and traffic signals at the intersection of these ramps with State Route 324,” said Gwinnett Department of Transportation Director Alan Chapman.
The interchange will be located approximately 2.7 miles north of the I-85 interchange at Ga. 20. Gravel Springs Road would provide an alternate route to and from I-985, avoiding the Mall of Georgia traffic.
