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Virtual groundbreaking conducted for I-16/I-95 projects
Interchange
Aerial view of current I-16/I-95 interchange - photo by Photo submitted
ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 16@95 Improvement Projects. These projects will reconstruct the I-16/I-95 Interchange and widen I-16 from I-95 to I-516. The projects are a part of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP), the largest investment in roadway mobility improvements in the state’s history.

In accordance with social distancing practices, instead of a typical in-person groundbreaking event, Georgia DOT produced a video to celebrate this project milestone. The groundbreaking video can be viewed on Georgia DOT’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/h7l_4waGJCo. The video features the “ceremonial dirt dig,” imagery and visuals of project pre-construction activities, and includes remarks from Georgia DOT leadership, members of the project team, and local leaders.  

“We are proud of the seamless shift the Department has made in regard to hosting our traditionally in-person events virtually.” said State Transportation Board member Ann R. Purcell. “I’m excited to have been able to mark this occasion with the ceremonial shoveling of dirt, even if we couldn’t all be together for it.”

Work on the project includes reconstructing six bridges, replacing four bridges, and constructing three new bridges, replacing two existing loop ramps located on the west side of I-95 with innovative turbine configuration system-to-system ramps, constructing a collector-distributor (CD) lane and adding interchange lighting. Construction officially began in March 2020 with tree clearing and landscape preparation and the project is anticipated to complete in 2022.

We are excited to officially break ground on the 16@95 Improvement Projects. These projects will improve traffic flow and enhance safety along I-16 and I-95, one of Georgia’s busiest freight corridors as well as the gateway to Georgia’s growing port in Savannah,”Commissioner Russell McMurry said. “We appreciate our partnerships with the City of Savannah, Chatham County, the Georgia Ports Authority and the State Road and Tollway Authority to move these projects along.”

The Department is utilizing an innovative delivery method through Design-Build, which accelerates construction and reduces construction times, minimizes travel impacts as much as possible, and maximizes the use of resources and the project budget.
 
Information on the MMIP is available at https://www.majormobilityga.com and the 16@95 Improvement Projects, is available on the Georgia DOT website at https://majormobilityga.com/projects/i1695improvements/
 

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs, and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike, and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation. Visit www.dot.ga.gov.