I-75 Unclogging Plan: Timeline, Closures and How Your Drive Will Change

Stuck on I-75? Georgia's $1.8B Unclogging Plan and what it means for your drive

If your commute or long-distance trip includes the I-75 chokepoint south of Atlanta, expect disruption now — and faster, more reliable drives later. Georgia's new $1.8 billion proposal to add tolled express lanes aims to reduce congestion on a critical 12-mile stretch in Henry and Clayton counties. But between design, major closures and phased construction, drivers will need a clear playbook for the next several years.

Quick overview: the proposal, why it matters in 2026

In January 2026 Governor Brian Kemp announced a plan to spend $1.8 billion to expand capacity on Interstate 75 by adding an express lane in each direction through a key southern Atlanta bottleneck. The state already has reversible express lanes for this 12-mile section; the new work builds permanent toll express lanes that increase throughput and support long-term economic growth in the region.

Why 2026 is a turning point: recovery-from-pandemic congestion has returned and states are prioritizing highway capacity and smart-road upgrades. Georgia combines tolling and interchange rebuilds across its highway network — an approach echoed in late-2025 projects on I-285 — and is positioning I-75 upgrades as central to freight mobility between the Midwest and Florida.

“When it comes to traffic congestion, we can’t let our competitors have the upper hand.” — Gov. Brian Kemp (Insurance Journal, Jan. 16, 2026)

Project plan and expected construction timeline

The state released a high-level roadmap. Below is a staged timeline based on Georgia DOT processes, recent announcements and common delivery methods for projects of this scale.

Phase 0 — Near-term planning & approvals (2026)

• Detailed engineering studies and refinements to the corridor plan.
• Environmental reviews and community outreach (NEPA-like analyses where required).
• Right-of-way (ROW) verifications and early utility coordination.
• Public information campaigns on expected impacts and timelines.

Phase 1 — Final design & procurement (late 2026–2027)

• Complete final design for each interchange and the permanent express lanes.
• Procure contractors — options include design-bid-build, design-build, or public-private (P3) agreements.
• Install temporary traffic management and begin utility relocations.

Phase 2 — Early construction & interchange work (2027–2029)

• Major interchange reconstructions and ramp modifications that will cause extended closures.
• Bridge work, drainage upgrades and relocation of existing reversible lanes where needed.
• Nighttime full closures and daytime lane reductions during critical operations.

Phase 3 — Toll lane buildout & systems (2028–2030)

• Construct the new express lanes in each direction across the 12-mile corridor.
• Install tolling infrastructure (gantries, signage) and integrate with Peach Pass and interoperable toll systems.
• Commission dynamic pricing systems, incident detection cameras, and traffic management center links.

Phase 4 — Clean-up, commissioning and staged openings (2029–2031)

• Staged openings of express lanes and reconstructed ramps to limit disruptions.
• Post-construction safety audits, public communications and final landscaping.

Bottom line: Expect a multi-year program that could run through 2030–2032 depending on procurement, funding sources and environmental reviews.

Planned closures and the types of disruptions to expect

Every major highway build has predictable patterns. Below are the closure types drivers living in or passing through Henry and Clayton counties should watch for:

• Nightly lane closures for paving, barrier installation and overhead gantry work — expect reduced speeds and narrow lanes.
• Overnight full closures of specific ramps or short mainline segments to allow bridge deck pours and heavy crane work. These will be posted well in advance but create large detours.
• Multi-week ramp closures during interchange reconstruction; local access will shift onto temporary roadways or alternate ramps.
• Temporary lane shifts and shoulder drops where the reversible lane footprint is reconfigured into permanent toll lanes.
• Intermittent daytime slowdowns near work zones, flagging operations, and queueing from merging traffic.

Major closures will be concentrated where ramps intersect local streets and where bridges are replaced. During those windows, regional diversion routes such as I-285, I-675 and major north–south arterials will see higher volumes.

What past projects show: real-world impact ranges

Case studies from similar tolled-lane projects in other states suggest:

• During peak interchange rebuilds, corridor travel times can increase by 15–40% for local trips.
• Nighttime work reduces daytime disruption but shifts some delays to longer detours when ramps close.
• After completion, dynamic toll lanes typically raise peak throughput and reliability by 15–30% compared with pre-construction baselines.

How your daily drive will change — short term vs long term

Short-term (during construction)

• Longer commute windows — add 20–45 minutes some days depending on closures.
• More unpredictable travel: queued traffic upstream of work zones and frequent short-duration incidents.
• Night work that may produce noise and local detours for residents near ramps.
• Increased use of I-285 and I-675 as drivers divert, so those routes will see higher baseline congestion.

Long-term (post-completion)

• Higher average speeds and more consistent travel times on the corridor thanks to dedicated tolled express lanes.
• Better throughput for longer-distance freight and intercity travel between the Midwest and Florida.
• Opportunity for express transit or bus-on-shoulder use of toll lanes if agencies implement park-and-ride or bus-express services.
• Dynamic tolling will provide an option for reliably timed trips, at a price — plan toll budgeting into monthly commute costs.

Practical advice: 12 actionable steps to keep your commute moving

Treat this project like any long-term construction on a major route — plan ahead, use tools and adjust behavior. Here’s a concise checklist:

1. Sign up for real-time alerts: Follow Georgia DOT traffic alerts, county DOT emails, and Peach Pass updates. Expect scheduled closures announced weeks ahead.
2. Use live traffic apps: Waze, Google Maps and highway.live provide lane-level guidance and database-driven detours — enable route re-routing.
3. Shift your commute window: If possible, leave earlier or later to avoid peak work-zone queues. Employers often accept flex schedules during long projects.
4. Consider alternate corridors: I-285 and I-675 are the primary bypasses. Test them for your commute in off-peak hours and have a plan B ready.
5. Budget for tolls: New dynamic toll lanes will accept Peach Pass. Estimate monthly toll exposure and consider carpooling to reduce costs.
6. Freight operators: Coordinate with fleet dispatchers for night deliveries and check for lane restrictions or truck prohibitions when toll lanes open.
7. Plan for detours: Map key local arterial alternatives near your origin or destination — don’t assume shortest distance is fastest during closures.
8. Watch for temporary signs: Work zones change quickly; strictly follow temporary speed limits and lane control signals.
9. Protect EV range plans: During long detours, access to chargers may differ. Carry an app with charger locations and plan mid-trip charging if needed.
10. Use park-and-ride/transit: Where available, express bus or commuter rail segments can bypass the worst delays and may use tolled lanes.
11. Flexible deliveries: If you rely on local deliveries, schedule them outside peak construction windows to avoid missed windows and fees.
12. Stay informed for single-day closures: Overnight full closures can add 30–60 minutes to some trips — reorganize errands during those times.

How this project will be paid for and how tolling will work

The $1.8 billion proposal will likely mix state funds, toll-backed bonds, and potential federal grants. Expect Georgia to lean on toll revenue to repay construction bonds — a model used on other recent Georgia highways and nationwide.

Key tolling points:

• Peach Pass integration: New lanes will integrate with Georgia’s Peach Pass electronic tolling system for seamless billing.
• Dynamic pricing: Expect variable tolls that increase during peak congestion to maintain lane speeds and throughput.
• Carpool/express bus rules: The state may allow high-occupancy vehicles or buses discounted or free access during certain hours — check Georgia DOT rules as plans are finalized.

Safety, EV charging and smart-road features (2026 trends)

Two 2026 trends that will shape this corridor:

• Smart infrastructure: Agencies are installing more cameras, speed and incident detection sensors, and digital message signs to reduce secondary crashes and speed response times to incidents.
• EV corridor planning: Federal and state programs that accelerated in late 2025 encourage corridor electrification. Expect new or upgraded EV fast chargers at nearby interchanges or rest stops during or after construction.

These features reduce long-duration incidents, help first responders, and improve corridor resilience during severe weather — an important consideration as 2026 sees an uptick in planning for climate resilience in transportation projects.

What freight and commercial drivers should specifically prepare for

• Coordinate shipments around planned multi-week ramp closures; maintain contact with shippers and receivers to adjust windows.
• Monitor GDOT commercial vehicle notices for lane restrictions or width/height limitations during bridge work.
• Consider routing through alternate freight-friendly routes such as I-285 or planned truck bypasses — but expect those routes to have heavier daytime volumes.
• Expect improved long-term reliability for interstate freight once express lanes are commissioned, which matters for time-sensitive logistics between the Midwest and Florida.

Community and local business impacts

Construction is disruptive for adjacent neighborhoods and businesses. Expect:

• Increased construction traffic on local streets during certain work phases.
• Temporary access changes for businesses next to ramp work — GDOT typically coordinates with local governments to keep access open or provide signage.
• Opportunities for economic benefit post-completion: improved commute times can make suburbs more attractive to employers and labor pools.

Questions to ask as the project progresses (for drivers and community leaders)

1. Which exact ramps and interchanges will close first, and what are the planned detours?
2. What rules will apply in the new tolled lanes for carpools, buses and trucks?
3. How will toll revenue be reinvested in regional maintenance?
4. What timeline changes occur if environmental reviews or ROW acquisitions take longer?
5. Where will new EV chargers and traveler services be located during and after construction?

Final assessment: trade-offs and expectations

Georgia’s $1.8 billion I-75 proposal is a heavy lift with predictable short-term pain and measurable long-term gains. If the state follows the current plan, the corridor will gain permanent express lanes, more resilient interchanges and integrated tolling systems that increase throughput — all necessary improvements given Atlanta congestion and the region’s role as a freight and passenger corridor.

That said, the immediate years of construction will require active management by drivers, logistics firms and local governments. Smart scheduling, use of alternates like I-285 and I-675, and staying informed through official channels will limit the worst delays.

Resources and how to stay ahead

• Sign up for Georgia DOT alerts and follow county DOT pages for Henry and Clayton counties.
• Enable real-time rerouting on mapping apps and follow highway.live for corridor-specific alerts.
• Register or maintain a Peach Pass account for fast toll billing and access to lane pricing details.
• Contact local chambers of commerce if you run a business affected by planned ramp closures.

Takeaway

Short term: Expect closures, night work and slower commutes. Plan alternate routes, shift schedules where possible and stay on top of alerts. Long term: Increased reliability, higher throughput and a managed-cost option for consistent travel times once toll express lanes open.

Call to action

Sign up for corridor alerts at Georgia DOT and highway.live, set Peach Pass notifications, and reassess your weekly commute plan now — early planning will save hours later. Want lane-by-lane alerts for this project? Subscribe to highway.live for I-75 construction timelines, closures and real-time reroutes tailored to your commute.

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