State Transportation Board Chairman Mike Evans today announced that the Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded more than $6 million in contracts for the construction of more than 35 miles of center median cable barriers on Interstate Highway 985 in Hall and Gwinnett counties and Georgia State Route 400 in Forsyth County...
ATLANTA – State Transportation Board Chairman Mike Evans today announced that the Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded more than $6 million in contracts for the construction of more than 35 miles of center median cable barriers on Interstate Highway 985 in Hall and Gwinnett counties and Georgia State Route 400 in Forsyth County.
Nationwide Fence & Supply Company, of Chesterfield, MI, will erect 22.3 miles of the barrier on I-985 between Interstate Highway 85 and U.S. Highway 129 (Jesse Jewel Parkway) at a cost of $3,856,912.60 and 13.3 miles of barrier on GA 400 between McFarland Parkway and State Route 306 (Keith Bridge Road) at a price of $2,399,157.35.
“I’m both delighted and relieved to announce these critical safety projects,” Evans said. “Anytime there is an open, grassed center median on a freeway, there is a distinct risk of vehicles leaving their side of the road and striking oncoming vehicles. We have seen the tragic consequences of these accidents too often in Georgia. I-985 and GA 400 desperately need these improvements; moreover, I intend to push for similar projects at all applicable locations throughout the State.”
Work on the two projects is expected to begin in the spring and be completed this fall. Cable barrier has previously been installed on more than 90 miles of Georgia interstates and freeways in which there are open center medians. It repeatedly has prevented cross-over accidents in which vehicles traveling in one direction become out of control, cross the median and strike vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, often head-on collisions resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. The barrier, which utilizes woven, tensioned cables attached to steel posts, also is less expensive to both install and maintain than traditional guardrail.
Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about these or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to bad weather. Callers can also reach live operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org. Georgia 511 – we’ll get you there.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our website (www.dot.state.ga.us).
