Changes along a segment of I-85 could have an impact on a specific group of Athens commuters.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is currently extending the I-85 Express Lanes to ease congestion along a 10-mile stretch of road from Old Peachtree Road to Hamilton Mill Road. While the $178 million project won’t affect most Athens drivers, the department says it can benefit so-called super commuters. Natalie Dale is the DOT spokeswoman.
“A super commuter we would define as anyone who drives more than 90 minutes each day,” according to Dale. “A lot of those people are faculty, staff, students at the University of Georgia who are either living or working close to the city who may be still in school but may have internships in Atlanta, so this is a great option for those people do who make that extended commute daily.”
Dale says the DOT is creating new lanes for the extension, not converting existing lanes.
The DOT estimates about 30 million trips a year along the corridor are expected daily. In addition to the express lanes, auxiliary lanes are being constructed for local drivers.