The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced upcoming lane closures and traffic shifts as part of the ongoing I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project in Macon-Bibb County. From December 8 to December 11, nightly lane closures will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Coliseum northbound and southbound right lanes while contractors remove forms from overhead bridges between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
A long-term traffic shift is scheduled through January 2026 for drivers traveling from I-75 to I-16 eastbound. Southbound traffic on I-75, beginning just south of Pierce Avenue, will be redirected onto new left lanes of I-16 eastbound. This change restricts access to the Spring Street/Exit 1A ramp; motorists will need to detour past Spring Street and exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard instead.
Northbound travelers on I-75 from just north of Hardeman Avenue heading to I-16 eastbound will also use the new left lanes but will retain full access to Spring Street/Exit 1A as usual. GDOT says that roadside signage and lane striping will guide drivers through these new patterns, which are necessary for crews constructing pedestrian bridges over the Ocmulgee River.
Several ongoing closures remain in effect for multiple months, including the far right lane of Spring Street at the I-16 westbound on-ramp and the right-hand on-ramp itself. The Spring Street on-ramp to I-16 westbound has been moved to the far left lane.
Construction activities scheduled for December 5–12 include continued work on bridge substructures and superstructures for entrance and exit ramps at Spring Street, construction of new bridge substructures at Second Street, pouring bridge deck spans, demolition of existing ramps, installation of retaining walls along both directions of I-75, drainage improvements throughout the area, repair and reinstallation of sidewalks with ADA-compliant ramps, street lighting installation along I-75, construction of sound and visual walls along both sides of the interstate, and evaluation work near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The interchange improvement project is valued at $500 million and aims to enhance safety and mobility by widening roads, reconstructing interchanges, adding collector-distributor lanes, upgrading bridges, installing new ramps and drainage systems—ultimately benefitting local commuters as well as regional travelers and commercial freight moving between Georgia’s southern coast and destinations across the country.
GDOT cautions that dates may change due to weather or other unforeseen factors. Motorists are advised to expect delays in work zones; they should drive carefully and reduce speed when traveling through these areas. Real-time updates are available by calling 511 or visiting https://511ga.org/.
“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,” according to a statement from GDOT.
