Jump to content

I-85 widening in northeast Georgia


GSP Tiger

Recommended Posts


  • Replies 25
  • Created
  • Last Reply

This is LONG overdue. Ive seen traffic so busy on 85 from Anderson ALL THE WAY to Atlanta that its come to a stop several times and its taken close to 2 hours to get to the Mall of Georgia exit, that should only take about an hour....and this is without any accidents. This is one of the busiest stretches of Interstate in the South, busier than anywhere ive seen from Texas to South Florida.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It all depends. Last time i went to Atlanta it wasnt that bad. Traffic was thick but not bumper to bumper. The time before (right after X-mas) it was bumper to bumper, going about 45 MPH from Anderson to Atlanta. Of course people were probably coming and going home for the holidays, but Ive seen it like that on non holiday weekends too. Modnay mornig was THICK from Anderson to Carnesville exit, but it was rainy/wet mixed with slow and people were driving slower. Its LONG overdue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The stretch of I-85 above the metro Atlanta area where it is 4 lanes wide is almost like the 12 lane portions that currently exist in Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb Counties. Everbody is going at 80 m.p.h. and while it is not always jammed, it is at capacity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I disagree about the traffic. Its not bad (for 85) until you get past Commerce (going towards Atlanta) and it doesn't seriously pick up until 985 comes in.

I guess it just depends on how frequent you use it. Im on 85 towards Atlanta almost on a daily basis. Ive seen it bumper to bumper after holidays...all the way to the Anderson exit. And Im talking 45mph slow moving, no accident traffic. Other days its free moving. Over all it is nothing like many other interstates in the south....20 through Augusta and 16 to Savannah dont pale in comparison to the traffic 85 gets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess it just depends on how frequent you use it. Im on 85 towards Atlanta almost on a daily basis. Ive seen it bumper to bumper after holidays...all the way to the Anderson exit. And Im talking 45mph slow moving, no accident traffic. Other days its free moving. Over all it is nothing like many other interstates in the south....20 through Augusta and 16 to Savannah dont pale in comparison to the traffic 85 gets.

85 needs to be AT LEAST 6 lanes from ATL to Charlotte. The worst areas are between Commerce, Ga southward to the 316 entrance north of Atlanta, and westward from Gaffney,SC (home of the butt shaped peach watertower) to US 74 near Gastonia, NC just west of Charlotte. :sick:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I-75 and I-85 both need to be 6 lanes throughout the state. I know there are massive I-75 widening projects in southern Georgia. Fact it, lots of people travel through the state to get to other destinations (Florida, the Carolinas, etc) and plus Georgia is a growing state. Here in Florida, a large part of I-75 is 6 lanes, most of I-95 will be 6 lanes, and I-10 throughout Florida is anticipated to be widened to 6 lanes, starting this year. We're a growing state and so is GA, so it's coming to yall sooner or later. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

wow, I-85 is looking like it Will be at least six lanes from Durham to Atlanta before 2020. all of the remaining 4 lane portions are now under construction or planned for widening to atleast 8 lanes. All that I can think of is I-85 west of Gastonia to near the Spartanburg and the area southwest of Anderson. This is great news! no section of I-85 between Durham and Atlanta should be 4 lanes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I-75 and I-85 both need to be 6 lanes throughout the state. I know there are massive I-75 widening projects in southern Georgia. Fact it, lots of people travel through the state to get to other destinations (Florida, the Carolinas, etc) and plus Georgia is a growing state. Here in Florida, a large part of I-75 is 6 lanes, most of I-95 will be 6 lanes, and I-10 throughout Florida is anticipated to be widened to 6 lanes, starting this year. We're a growing state and so is GA, so it's coming to yall sooner or later. :)

The south GA section of I-75 is the only part of I-75 in Ga that's NOT at least six lanes. I think thats been the plan for a while and this is the last section to get widened. It's definately a major FLA roadway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I agree, widening is long overdue for this stretch of 85. I travel between Greensboro and Pensacola about twice a year to visit family, and have noticed that the overpasses between the SC line and Atlanta have been replaced to accommodate the widening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

I disagree about the traffic. Its not bad (for 85) until you get past Commerce (going towards Atlanta) and it doesn't seriously pick up until 985 comes in.

Generally, that's when I see traffic problems as well. However, if there is a major even in Atlanta, near a holiday, or it's a Friday or Sunday afternoon the whole stretch of I-85 from Durham to Atlanta can be packed! And there are too many wrecks in the Gaffney, SC area as well as near Lake Hartwell.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I think that greenville could use 4 lanes on each side through spartanburg on I-85. Anderson should be 3 lanes on each side till you start getting into the outer lying areas of atlanta where it widens up again. I was driving last night on I-85 through greenville at around midnight and all 6 lanes had lots of traffic on them. I think before long we will be seeing 8 lanes through greenville at the least.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

wow, I-85 is looking like it Will be at least six lanes from Durham to Atlanta before 2020. all of the remaining 4 lane portions are now under construction or planned for widening to atleast 8 lanes. All that I can think of is I-85 west of Gastonia to near the Spartanburg and the area southwest of Anderson. This is great news! no section of I-85 between Durham and Atlanta should be 4 lanes.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

I dont think its going to start anytime soon. About 6 months ago I noticed some construction going on on about 20 miles from just after Commerce to close to Lavonia. They put up those traffic nets in the median and looks like they spent alot of money doing it so I cant see them tearing that down in the close future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.