ATLANTA — A portion of Interstate 85 that collapsed following a March 30 fire is set to open in time for rush hour on Monday, May 15.
That is five weeks ahead of the original projected opening date of June 15.
It’s time again – here is latest, greatest time lapse #I85Rebuild Moving right along – TY again to all business partners, traveling public. pic.twitter.com/Oa9oZbykvP
— Georgia DOT (@GADeptofTrans) May 9, 2017
This high-traffic section of I-85 carries nearly 243,000 vehicles each day under normal circumstances. GDOT has worked around the clock to rebuild sections of roadway in both directions and to reopen the corridor quickly and safely. GDOT estimates approximately $27 million in motorist savings by opening I-85 weeks ahead of original projections.
“While this situation has been a tremendous challenge, the response from the people of Georgia has been nothing less than remarkable,” Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said in a news release. “It is extraordinary that in just six weeks, this critical piece of infrastructure is nearly ready to reopen for motorist use following the fire and bridge collapse.”
Added Deal: “In Georgia, we get things done, and we have risen to the occasion for I-85 to be completed as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
Crews with the Georgia Department of Transportation have logged more than 3,500 man hours of on-site inspections, with as many as eight inspectors on-site at a time. Inspections include examining the fabricated steel beams off-site and inspecting them again for size and spacing on-site. Inspectors also sampled and tested the concrete before it was poured.
