ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced Monday the apparent best-value proposer for the I-16 at I-95 Interchange and I-16 widening from I-95 to I-516 projects.

Sealed price proposals from five proposers were opened Friday at One Georgia Center, with Savannah Mobility Contractors Joint Venture (JV) named the successful proposer. Georgia DOT used a best-value procurement method for the design-build project which evaluates both price and technical proposals.

“A joint venture team, comprised of local and national firms, offered an extremely competitive bid and technical proposal,” said Georgia DOT Public Private Partnership (P3) Director Joe Carpenter. “Savannah Mobility Contractors JV brings a highly experienced team for a project that provides greater mobility in the Savannah region."

The projects will improve traffic flow and enhance safety along both interstate highways and into Georgia’s growing port in Savannah. The project also will include the widening of I-16 from I-95 to I-516, and the rebuilding the two congested on/off ramps on the west side of the interchange to provide smoother, more direct connections.

Final design is anticipated to begin in early fall, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2019.

The interchange and widening projects, incorporated into one design-build contract, are the second and third of the initial 11 Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) projects, which will add over 300 new lane miles, create an additional $1 billion in personal income, stimulate $2 billion in statewide economic growth, and reduce travel delays by 5 percent throughout the state.

Construction will begin on the first MMIP project, I-85 widening from I-985 to State Road 53, later this summer.