The Georgia Department of Transportation is moving forward with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of approximately 17 miles of the I-285 Westside Corridor in Cobb and Fulton counties following the award of two contracts totaling $370 million in late 2025.
[Above photo by Georgia DOT]
Those contracts mark a major milestone in Georgia DOT’s ongoing efforts to modernize one of the state’s most heavily traveled and congested corridors.
The agency said this large-scale reconstruction project will enhance safety, mobility, and freight movement throughout the westside of I-285, a vitally important segment of Georgia’s transportation network. Once completed, the projects will not only greatly improve travel for motorists but will also support and strengthen Georgia’s growing freight and logistics industry, a vital driver of the state’s economy.
“The west side of I-285 serves as a critical artery for metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia,” said Russell McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia DOT and the 2025-2026 president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, in a statement. “This investment reflects [our] continued commitment to providing a safe, efficient, and resilient transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and the movement of people and goods.”
The I-285 Westside Corridor endeavor consists of three coordinated project segments extending from State Route 14 (Langford Parkway) in Fulton County to Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County. Project completion is anticipated in spring 2029, Georgia DOT said.
Originally constructed in the 1960s, with the final segment opening to traffic in October 1969, I-285 was originally designed with an expected lifespan of 40 years.
Through ongoing maintenance and targeted improvements, Georgia DOT has successfully extended the service life of the corridor. Since 2014, the agency noted that its Metro Atlanta District has invested $60 million in preservation and rehabilitation on this segment of I-285.
[Editor’s note: in a recent blog post, Georgia DOT explained how its crews take a “proactive stance” statewide to prevent pothole formation – part of the agency’s pavement preservation efforts.]
However, Georgia DOT said that traffic volumes on the I-285 Westside Corridor continue to grow, reaching an average of 194,000 vehicles daily, with truck traffic accounting for 18 percent of that total.
To more safely accommodate that traffic volume, the project aims to reconstruct 17 miles of the west side of I-285, improve 10 interchanges, overlay asphalt on top of existing concrete pavement, replace median barriers, make drainage upgrades, plus replace guardrails and overhead signage.
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