ATLANTA, GA – Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Georgia will be the recipient of a $184 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant – the single-largest awarded grant for FY 2017-2018 – for the State Route (SR) 400 Express Lanes project. On Friday, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E., joined USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao at a press conference in Washington, D.C. announcing major infrastructure investments through the INFRA and AIP grant awards. The INFRA program provided approximately $1.5 billion nationwide for FY 2017-2018 in dedicated, discretionary funding for projects that address critical issues facing our nation’s highways and bridges.
“Georgia is fortunate to have devoted advocates in Washington championing transportation progress for our state,” said Commissioner McMurry, P.E. “Senators Isakson and Perdue, Congresswoman Handel and Congressman Woodall continue to fight for our vital infrastructure, and the awarding of this grant reflects their dedication to keeping Georgians moving forward. We are also grateful to Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Cagle and Speaker Ralston for their vision and support in bringing the SR 400 Express Lanes project and many others to fruition.”
SR 400 is a vital north-south transportation corridor in metro Atlanta that connects people, jobs, and freight. To improve mobility and enhance economic vitality, Georgia DOT plans to increase the capacity along this corridor by adding new, optional express lanes from the MARTA North Springs Station to McFarland Parkway. When complete, the project – estimated at $1.8 billion – will connect to other future and existing Georgia DOT projects that work in conjunction to build a better Georgia by enhancing mobility and safety while fueling growth. The project is a public-private partnership that will add 65 lane miles and is expected to reduce traffic delays by up to 18 percent.
The SR 400 Express Lanes project is one of four Express Lane expansion projects and 11 projects overall included in the state’s Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP).