Law Enforcement to Control Traffic for Vegetation Removal on I-16 Eastbound This Week

Contractors for the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will continue construction activities related to the I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvement Project next week in Macon-Bibb County. Weather permitting, the scheduled activities beginning Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 30 are listed below.

New Lane Closures/ Traffic Shifts:

• Police presence will be used to slow traffic while work crews cut vegetation from the I-16 eastbound shoulder lane and median between the I-16/I-75 interchange and the exit at Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard. 

Ongoing, Long-term Closures:

• The dedicated right turn lane on the I-16 eastbound off-ramp to Spring Street, which will remain closed through the spring of 2021.
• The permanent lane closure on Coliseum Drive/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard southbound between Clinton Street to Riverside Drive; southbound traffic in that area is currently reduced to one lane.
• The far right lane of I-75 northbound at the Georgia 19/Georgia Avenue exit (exit 164) is closed to traffic for several months.
• Spring Street’s far right lane at the I-16 westbound on-ramp as well as the right-hand on-ramp to I-16 westbound are both closed for several months; the Spring Street on-ramp to I-16 westbound has been relocated to the far left lane.

Construction Activities for August 24-30, weather permitting:

Phase 2 and 3 – I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to I-16 eastbound

• Crews continue construction of the Riverside Bridge superstructure over I-75 and the Walnut Street bridge stage two superstructure;
• Continue construction of the new I-75 northbound bridge;
• Continue working on superstructure of the I-16 westbound bridge over the Ocmulgee River;
• Construction of MSE (retaining) walls along I-75 northbound and southbound and at other locations throughout the project continues;
• Construction of concrete sound and visual wall along I-75 northbound and southbound continues;
• Continue concrete pavement on far right lane and right shoulder lane on I-75 northbound between Hardeman Avenue and the Pedestrian Bridge;
• Continue demolition of the concrete pavement on the left lane on I-75 southbound from the Riverside Drive bridge to the Hardeman Avenue bridge; and
• Continue concrete paving in right lane on I-75 northbound between the Walnut Street bridge to just south of the Riverside Drive bridge.

Phase 1 – I-16 from the I-16/ I-75 split to the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard exit

• Crews continue work on the superstructure for the bridge along I-16 eastbound near Spring Street;
• Construction continues on the superstructure for the new I-16 eastbound bridge over the Ocmulgee River;
• Construction continues on the second stage of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard bridge over the Ocmulgee River;
• Construction continues on the new I-16 eastbound bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad;
• Construction continues on the substructure for the new I-16 eastbound bridge over Spring Street;
• Construction continues on MSE (retaining) walls along I-16 eastbound between Spring Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard;
• Demolition of the existing Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Bridge over the Ocmulgee River continues;
• Grading activities continue on the I-16 eastbound exit ramps to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Spring Street;
• Grading activities continue on the entrance ramp to I-16 eastbound from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard;
• Grading activities continue on the subgrade, and placement of graded aggregate base (gravel/rock mixture) on Spring Street under the I-16 bridges; and
• Crews will continue cutting grass and vegetation along the I-16 eastbound shoulder lane and median between the I-16/I-75 interchange and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

The I-16/I-75 Interchange Improvements Project is a $500 million safety and mobility megaproject. With its massive scope to widen and reconstruct I-16, I-75 and their interchange in Macon-Bibb County, this project is being delivered in seven design and construction phases that will continue through 2026.  When complete, new CD lanes, additional interstate lanes, new interstate on-and off-ramps, upgrades to 11 bridges, new walls, upgraded drainage systems, etc. will deliver safer and improved mobility for Macon-Bibb County’s local commuters and businesses, regional travelers and commercial freight from the Georgia southern coast to destinations within the state and throughout the U.S.