Contractors working for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will implement several traffic shifts as part of the ongoing I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project in Macon-Bibb County. The changes are scheduled to begin on Friday, January 23, 2026, weather and site conditions permitting.
Starting at 9:00 p.m. on January 23, access to I-16 westbound from Emory Highway will be rerouted. Motorists traveling westbound on Emory Highway will no longer be able to go directly onto the I-16 westbound on-ramp and must instead turn right or left. Traffic from Emory Highway seeking to enter I-16 westbound will now use the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on-ramp.
Also beginning at 9:00 p.m., drivers using the I-16 westbound off-ramp at exit 2 (MLK) will shift from the current ramp to a newly constructed adjacent ramp. This transition is expected to be completed by 5:00 a.m.
On I-16 eastbound, between mile posts 1 and 2.5, a left lane closure will occur starting at 9:00 p.m. During this period, existing road striping will be removed and replaced to move traffic onto new left lanes.
Similarly, on I-16 westbound from mile post 0 to mile post 2, there will be a right lane closure starting at the same time. Crews will remove and restripe existing markings along the right lane and adjust access to Exit 1B (Ramp G). Once finished, vehicles will use newly constructed right lanes.
The I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project is a $600 million initiative aimed at enhancing safety and mobility in Macon-Bibb County. The project involves widening and reconstructing sections of both interstates and their interchange over seven phases that are expected to continue through 2030. When complete, it will add collector-distributor lanes, more interstate lanes, upgraded ramps, improvements to eleven bridges, new walls, enhanced drainage systems, and other features designed to improve travel for local commuters as well as regional freight movement across Georgia and beyond.
Motorists should note that these dates may change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Drivers are advised to expect delays in work zones and are encouraged to drive cautiously and reduce speed when traveling through construction areas. For real-time updates on work status or traffic conditions, travelers can call 511 or visit https://511ga.org/.
“The 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 GDOT.
