Construction to Begin on West Point I-85 Interchange Project

Expected to be complete by December 2008

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue and Georgia DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl announced today the selection of the team that will design and construct the West Point I-85 Interchange project in Troup County.

The C.W. Matthews Contracting, Inc./ARCADIS design-build team will build a new interchange on I-85 near milepost 6, approximately five miles of new frontage and access roads, two new bridges, improvements to Webb Road, and new traffic signals at various locations. The $80.86 million project is scheduled for completion by December 2008.

“The design-build process is meant to speed up projects and get them open to traffic as soon as possible,” Governor Perdue said. “I look forward to seeing this project develop as we continue to plan for the anticipated growth spurred by the new West Point Kia plant.”

The West Point I-85 Interchange project is needed to accommodate the additional traffic and access needs expected to result from the construction of the new Kia Motors manufacturing facility and training center on the western side of I-85.

“While providing safe, seamless, and sustainable infrastructure for Kia Motors’ shipping activities and employee access is clearly important, this project will also improve access to I-85 from rural West Georgia communities on both sides of I-85,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl.

Georgia DOT is receiving $1 million in grant funding for the West Point I-85 Interchange project through the U.S. DOT’s Highways for LIFE program.  The project also will receive a waiver of the State funding match typically required, which would be approximately $17 million for the construction of the project. 

The Highways for LIFE program emphasizes the importance of minimizing construction time and delays experienced by the traveling public and improving work zone safety. Using the design-build approach for this project, the Georgia DOT anticipates reducing construction time by 40 percent.  In addition, the Georgia DOT will use pre-cast concrete bridge components to speed construction, improve construction work zone safety, and minimize the impacts of construction on the environment. 

For more information on this important project, please visit the project web site – http://www.dot.state.ga.us/westpoint85 – or call the construction hotline (866-478-2220).