McGinnis Ferry/I-85 Work Still On Track

The improving pre-spring weather in Suwanee has helped progress on the McGinnis Ferry Road bridge work over I-85.

Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson Teri Pope noted this week that the project, which dates back a decade, still is on track for a September completion. The new route will provide commuters a link between Satellite Boulevard and such routes as Gwinco Boulevard and a quicker route to cities such as Lawrenceville.

"Spring has sprung," Georgia DOT spokesperson Teri Pope said this week. "It's the first time in four months that crews have been able to work five days in a row."

The project involves $22 million in land deals and $7 million in construction costs. Construction began in 2009, but planning goes back as far as 2003. Federal stimulus money also has been used in the project.

Pope noted that the detour signs in the area have been in place for about two weeks, and that "weather days" are built into the construction schedule. The new road will be four lanes, but will not include an entrance/exit to I-85.

For a pictoral look at the state of the project in December 2010, see this Suwanee Patch article: