Building bridges: Work continues at Hammond, to start soon at I-85

Construction to improve drivers’ access to Ga. 400 is under way at two places.

The Georgia Department of Transportation recently announced work will begin this summer to build new ramps connecting I-85 and Ga. 400 in Buckhead, as shown in the rendering at left. The long-awaited, $21.4 million project will allow southbound drivers on I-85 direct access to northbound Ga. 400 and southbound drivers on Ga. 400 direct access to northbound I-85. The project is scheduled to be completed by January 2013. The work is being paid for by Ga. 400 tolls.

Meanwhile, construction continues on the Perimeter Center Community Improvement District-DOT-Sandy Springs Development Authority project to rebuild the Hammond Drive bridge and intersection with Ga. 400 in Sandy Springs.

A photo taken April 2010 shows early construction of the interchange, which is described as a “half-diamond,” to allow drivers to enter and exit Ga. 400 between exits 4 and 5, without using I-285. The photo at right above shows construction of the nine-lane bridge as of June 12. Both photos were taken from atop a Concourse Corporate Center building.