Peach Tree Times

Contractors for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) are set to continue construction activities on the I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project in Macon-Bibb County. The scheduled work is expected to take place from February 28 to March 7, 2025, weather and site conditions permitting.

Nightly lane closures and traffic shifts will occur from Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 7, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Flaggers will be present to guide traffic on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Coliseum Drive.

Several long-term closures remain in effect as part of the project. The far right lane of Spring Street at the I-16 westbound on-ramp is closed, along with the right-hand on-ramp to I-16 westbound. The Spring Street on-ramp has been relocated to the far left lane.

Construction activities for this period include ongoing work on Phases 4 and 5 from I-16 westbound/I-75 to Walnut Creek. This involves continuing construction of bridge substructures and superstructures for various ramps and bridges, pouring bridge deck spans and edge beams, demolishing existing structures, building new retaining walls along I-75 northbound and southbound, and installing drainage systems throughout the project area.

In Phases 2 and 3, which cover I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to I-16 eastbound, work continues with lighting installation on Riverside Bridge and Walnut Street guardrail over I-75. Concrete sound and visual walls are also being constructed along both directions of I-75.

Phase 1 of the project—from the split at I-16/I-75 to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard exit—is substantially complete.

The $500 million megaproject aims to enhance safety and mobility by widening and reconstructing sections of I-16, I-75, and their interchange in Macon-Bibb County. It includes seven design phases that will extend through 2030. Upon completion, it promises improved infrastructure such as new lanes, ramps, upgraded bridges, walls, drainage systems—all intended to benefit local commuters as well as regional travelers.

Motorists should anticipate delays due to ongoing construction activities. They are advised to exercise caution when traveling through work zones by reducing speed accordingly. For real-time updates on traffic conditions or changes in work status due to unforeseen factors like weather conditions can call "511," visit "511ga.org," or download "Georgia's official app."

"Georgia Department of Transportation plans constructs maintains Georgia’s state federal highways involved bridge waterway public transit rail general aviation bike pedestrian programs help local governments maintain roads," said GDOT officials about their mission statement emphasizing innovation safety sustainability mobility leadership transportation competitiveness within state U.S."