Major construction on Georgia 400 express lanes project about to begin, drivers to see lane shifts

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Transportation said that major construction on the Georgia 400 express lanes project will begin in April, marking a significant step in what officials have called the largest transportation infrastructure effort in the state’s history.

The $4.6 billion project, developed in partnership with SR 400 Peach Partners, LLC, will bring new tolled express lanes along Georgia 400 through Fulton County and Forsyth County.

You’ve probably already noticed the massive tree clearing across multiple exits along both directions of 400, which was the first phase of the project.

Next up, drivers can expect to see construction equipment, new work zones and shifting traffic patterns as crews begin early phases of the project, including bridge construction and interchange upgrades. GDOT said work will take place during both daytime and overnight hours, with most overnight construction scheduled from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to reduce traffic impacts.

Tree clearing activities began in September and remain ongoing, according to the official GDOT website for the project. This initial work is being performed in advance of “heavy construction” that will begin along the 16-mile stretch set to begin next month.

The project is expected to take six years and be completed by 2031. GDOT provided the following updated construction diagram layout on Monday:

Once finished, the express lanes will run from the North Springs MARTA Station (Exit 5C) to just north of McFarland Parkway (Exit 12). Plans call for two express lanes in each direction along part of the corridor and one lane in each direction farther north.

GDOT said the lanes will use dynamic pricing, adjusting tolls based on real-time traffic conditions, and are designed to move traffic up to 30% faster than general-purpose lanes.

The project will also include transit improvements, with dedicated stations supporting future bus rapid transit service along the corridor.

Officials said the effort is aimed at easing congestion and improving travel reliability along one of metro Atlanta’s busiest highways, which serves communities that continue to grow at a rapid pace north of the city.

Luckily for taxpayers, a private sector partner was selected for the project last year and committed a concession payment to the state of $4.05 billion and will deliver the project through a combination of financing methods. As a result, the project will not require any additional public funding to build, operate and maintain.

That means that taxpayers won’t have to fund a single cent for the construction of this project.

To read more about the express lane project, click here.