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ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Department of Transportation announces a public information and detour open house to discuss the proposed plans to reconstruct the existing traditional interchange at I-75 and SR 20 into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The purpose of the open house is to allow the public the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed project and the associated detour required during construction.
[Note from the Editor: I've been through a diverging diamond in Springfield, Missouri and have YouTube footage of it so you can see exactly what is being talked about here. You can watch that 30 seconds of footage at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gNQR-bhBf0]
The open house is scheduled on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Community Room of the Henry County Administration Building located at 140 Henry Parkway in McDonough, GA 30253. Georgia DOT engineers and consultants will be available to discuss the proposed project. There will not be a formal presentation during the open house. The public is invited to attend anytime between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“The proposed DDI configuration is an innovative solution to accommodate heavy left turn volumes, as experienced currently at this interchange, in a more efficient manner," states Georgia DOT Project Manager Clinton Ford.
The proposed DDI configuration will allow traffic to cross to the opposite side on both sides of the bridge, allowing free flowing left turns onto I-75 ramps. The result is the elimination of left turn queues at the signal, allowing the same amount of left turn volume to be accommodated with fewer lanes. A barrier separated sidewalk with be included as part of the interchange’s reconstruction. A detour will be necessary during implementation of the project. Anyone unable to attend the public open house may submit written comments on the project.
All comments should be submitted by Thursday, April 5, 2018 to:
Mr. Eric Duff
State Environmental Administrator
Georgia DOT
600 West Peachtree Street-NW, 16th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
The public can also view the project and submit comments online. Visit the Georgia DOT website www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Public/PublicOutreach. From the menu, select Henry County and click Go; select I-75 at SR 20 Diverging Diamond Interchange; click Comment and follow instructions to leave a comment.
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.