I-85 to open by May 25 in time for Memorial Day traffic

Progress is being made on the I-85 bridge repairs.Progress is being made on the I-85 bridge repairs.

Progress is moving quickly on the I-85 bridge repairs and repaving project after the bridge was damaged by fire at the end of March.

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurray announced the I-85 bridge repairs over Piedmont Road will be finished and open by May 25, just in time for Memorial Day.

GDOT offered contractor C.W. Matthew an additional $1.5 million if the work is completed by May 25 instead of the previously projected date of June 15. The cost for the project was already totaled at $13.5 million before this new incentive. 

“From the ability to quickly procure the construction materials needed, to the availability of work crews and good weather conditions, we’ve been fortunate to be dealing with best case scenarios throughout this whole project,” says GDOT Director of Construction Marc Mastronardi. “The progress is apparent, but there’s still quite a bit of work that needs to be completed before the highway can be safely opened to the public.”

Further incentives have also been offered. If the contractor completes the project by May 21, they will receive $2 million plus an additional $200,000 per day for each day before May 21. They would have a maximum of $3.1 million in incentives.

GDOT is also partially repaving I-85 while it’s already closed for the bridge repairs.