A new third lane section on I-85 southbound in Jackson County from the North Oconee River bridge to Exit 149 (US 441) has been opened.
It’s the latest part of the 13-mile I-85 Widening, Phase 3 project upgrading I-85 northbound and southbound from two to three lanes from US 129 to US 441, as well as replacing and widening four mainline bridges in two locations. This shift follows other late summer new lane section traffic openings.
This latest development leaves a one-mile southbound North Oconee River bridge construction segment at two lanes awaiting final bridge completion by later this month. The project will reach final open-to-traffic status at that time.
This $142 million construction investment builds upon the widening completed as part of the previous I-85 Widening, Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects. These projects are part of the long-range plan to widen I-85 to the South Carolina state line.
(Picture courtesy Georgia Dept. of Transportation: Ongoing bridge construction in Jackson County.)
