3.1. Georgia Projects

Macon I-16/ I-75 Interchange

The Project: The I-16/I-75 Improvement Project will include the widening and reconstruction of I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to Pierce Avenue and I-16 from I-75 to Walnut Creek within the City of Macon in Bibb County, Georgia. This is considered as a good example of engineering design.

Location: Bibb County, Macon, Georgia

Context Setting: Suburban

Road Classification: Interstate

Stakeholders: GDOT, Macon City Council and other Macon public officials, FHWA, Project Advisory Committee, and area residents

The Process: Based on accident and traffic data, the Georgia Department of Transportation recognized the need for improvements to the I-16/I-75 interchange. On August 3, 2000, GDOT and members of the Project Advisory Committee agreed upon a preferred concept alternative for the I-16/I-75 interchange improvements. Bridges and/or retaining walls will be considered for the proposed eastbound collector-distributor (CD) road to minimize impacts to the floodplain.  The goal of the proposed project is to develop an environmentally friendly design so as to have no adverse effect on the floodplain of the Ocmulgee River, minimize impacts on the Traditional Cultural Property, effects to the wetlands, and avoid conflicts with any major utilities.

Lessons Learned: The GDOT project team has developed a Public Involvement Plan to organize and manage the public involvement program for the I-16/I-75 Improvement Project.  This plan includes various methods for public input.  Stakeholders, residents, and concerned citizens are involved in the planning and project development process in order to accurately identify transportation problems and acceptable solutions.

To ensure the improvements to the I-16/I-75 interchange do not adversely affect the social, cultural, or natural environment, the project area has been thoroughly analyzed to determine the location of sensitive areas and issues.  This early identification of environmental constraints will allow for the avoidance and minimization of environmental impacts.

Multiple (6) alternatives were developed with the preferred alternative including design features based on community input.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concept Alternative for I-75/I-16

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rendering of Second St. from Walnut St. to Emery Hwy. - inset is the existing highway

 

Source:  http://www.i16i75.com/