Monroe County was officially notified on Friday, March 4 that the long-awaited I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes project has been delayed by three-and-a-half years.
In a letter from Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) chief engineer Meg Pirkle to Monroe County Manager Jim Hedges, Pirkle wrote that a “developer” or contractor for the project would not be selected until the fourth quarter of 2026 with final design and construction to follow. GDOT’s original plans called for a contractor to be selected in the first quarter of 2023 with construction to begin in the second quarter of 2024. The project was to be substantially completed by 2027.
Pirkle’s letter states that the decision to alter the I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes project start date came after meetings in 2021 with “industry representatives.” Pirkle wrote that the new timeline “allow the limited number of developers to be responsive based on capabilities, labor, and supplies, as well as reduce project risk.”
Pirkle wrote that in the meantime GDOT will complete environmental studies, secure federal approvals and permits, acquire right-of-way, and assist with the relocation of conflicting utilities.
Pirkle’s letter states: “These efforts will help reduce the construction duration and impacts to the traveling public, increase industry competition, and improve project pricing.”
For more information on the project, visit I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes (arcgis.com)
