Project Description

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), proposes to make transportation improvements to Interstate 75 (I-75) and I-575 in the Atlanta metropolitan region.  The improvements are collectively referred to as the Northwest Corridor Project. 

The Northwest Corridor Project corridor extends northwest along I-75 from Akers Mill Road to Hickory Grove Road, and along I-575 from the I-75/I-575 interchange to Sixes Road. The project corridor is northwest of downtown Atlanta, Georgia.  The study area encompasses the suburban cities of Marietta, Kennesaw, and Acworth and several unincorporated communities in Cobb and Cherokee counties.  The area is home to a substantial share of the metro region’s population as well as several business centers, two large regional shopping malls, Dobbins Air Force Base, and numerous major corporations. 

The main freeway serving the Northwest Corridor is I-75.  It is the primary route for commuters traveling to jobs within the region and to downtown Atlanta.  As a major north-south route through Georgia, I-75 also serves the transportation needs for regional travel and freight trucking.  In downtown Atlanta, I-75 is merged with I-85 through Downtown Atlanta. North of the I-75/I-85 split in Midtown Atlanta, I-75 turns to the northwest and intersects with the I-285 perimeter highway around Atlanta.  Between I-85 and I-285, I-75 is ten lanes, with four general purpose lanes and an HOV lane in each direction.  The existing HOV system ends at Akers Mill Road just south of I-285.  North of I-285, I-75 widens to as many as 15 lanes and then narrows again to eight then six lanes total north of the I-575 interchange.

I-575 extends northeasterly from its interchange with I-75 in Cobb County into Cherokee County.  The I-575 corridor is experiencing rapid urbanization but currently has only has four general-purpose lanes, two in each direction.

The Northwest Corridor Project proposes to make transportation improvements to I-75 and I-575 in the Northwest Corridor. The proposed improvements include the addition of managed lanes on both-75 and I-575 within the project area from Akers Mill/I-285 north to Hickory Grove Road. Access points along I-75 are proposed at I-285, Terrell Mill Road, Roswell Road, I-575, Big Shanty Road, and Hickory Grove Road.

Along I-575, the proposed improvements include the addition of a managed lane system in the median between the I-75/I-575 interchange and Sixes Road. The managed lane system on I-575 could, as an option, include slip ramp access between the managed lane and the general purpose lane systems rather than direct access interchanges at Big Shanty Road, Shallowford Road, and Dupree Road as proposed in the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement).