Northwest Corridor Express Lanes Wins DBIA Award

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation’s (Georgia DOT) Northwest Corridor (NWC) Express Lanes Project has been recognized with the National Award of Merit (Transportation) by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). DBIA’s National Project/Team awards are given annually to projects that exemplify the principles of the Design-Build Done Right® best practices. Design-Build is the fastest growing and most popular method used to deliver construction projects in America.

“Georgia DOT is honored to receive this award from such an outstanding organization, one that is highly valued in our industry,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. said. “The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes Project was a major undertaking that spanned several years and involved the support and efforts of many organizations and stakeholders.

“The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes offer a glimpse into the future of our transportation network, which includes a connected system of express lanes in metropolitan Atlanta. We view this project as one of the most transformative projects in state history, enhancing both mobility and transportation choice for Georgia motorists. It is also a leading example of a public-private partnership at work to accelerate construction and reduce impacts. Thanks to the important work of [former] Governor Deal and the Georgia General Assembly, as well as the ongoing support of current state leadership, we are able to continue this innovative work through the expansion of the Georgia Express Lanes network.”

Opened in September 2018, the NWC Express Lanes extend along I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties and include 29.7 miles of priced reversible express lanes. In just 10 months of operation, more than six million trips have been registered posting travel speeds 30 percent faster than the general-purpose lanes. As a result, rush hour has been reduced by more than one hour for both the morning and evening commutes. Users of the general-purpose lanes adjacent to the express lanes have also benefitted. In April 2018 (before NWC opening), the average speed on I-75 northbound between I-285 and I-575 at rush hour’s peak was 20 mph. In April 2019 (after NWC opening) the average speed doubled at 40 mph. Additional benefits include improved air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, tailpipe exhaust is expected to be reduced by about 23.8 tons a year as 2.87 billion gallons of fuel are saved by reducing the waste of engines idling in traffic congestion.

These corridors of new lanes make up the Georgia Express Lanes network, which provides more reliable trip times for those traveling home, to and from work, to meet their loved ones, and to and from sporting events and concerts throughout the metro Atlanta region.

Further information on the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes is available on the Georgia DOT website athttps://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL/NWC and the Georgia Express Lanes network athttps://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL.