Final Meetings for the 85 Study Now Underway

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🚦 Shaping the Future of I-85

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The 85 Study, an ambitious and comprehensive corridor evaluation by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in partnership with Gwinnett County, is reaching a pivotal point—and your voice is needed now more than ever.

Since its launch, the 85 Study has aimed to analyze and improve one of Georgia’s most heavily traveled corridors: Interstate 85 between I-285 and I-985. This roughly 18-mile stretch, primarily located in Gwinnett County with a small segment extending into DeKalb County, is a critical artery for commuters, freight movement, and economic activity across the state.

Now in its final stages, the 85 Study is presenting its draft recommendations to the public for review and feedback. These proposed projects are designed to address congestion, safety, mobility, and long-term transportation planning for the corridor.

📍 What Is the 85 Study?

The I-85 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study—known as the 85 Study—is a forward-thinking, multi-year analysis aimed at identifying and evaluating transportation improvements across a major segment of I-85.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Gwinnett County initiated the study to address mounting concerns over:

Increasing congestion
Unsafe driving conditions
Outdated interchange operations
Insufficient freight mobility
Limited multimodal connectivity

By combining technical analysis with community engagement, the 85 Study has created a strategic roadmap to modernize this key corridor while minimizing environmental and community impact.

You can view more at the official 85 Study website.

🛣️ Study Area Overview

The I-85 corridor between I-285 and I-985 serves as a vital transportation route for both local and regional travel. The 18-mile-long segment primarily cuts through Gwinnett County, making it a significant focus area for both short-term solutions and long-term infrastructure planning.

The study is aligned with a broader effort to connect mobility solutions with:

Community needs
Land use planning
Economic development
Environmental preservation

The corridor serves not only local residents and commuters but also freight carriers, interstate travelers, and transit users, making its optimization a top transportation priority.

🚧 Why the 85 Study Matters

The I-85 corridor has become synonymous with congestion, long delays, and safety issues, especially during peak travel times. As the population and business activity across Gwinnett County continue to grow, the strain on infrastructure intensifies.

The 85 Study proposes a data-informed, community-driven approach to:

Reduce traffic congestion during peak hours
Enhance safety for both personal and commercial vehicles
Improve traffic flow with updated designs
Promote economic development through reliable infrastructure
Expand transportation options via multimodal connections

All of this is happening while ensuring the corridor remains sensitive to environmental and community concerns.

🔍 What’s Included in the Final 85 Study Recommendations?

The 85 Study has outlined 16 potential transportation projects aimed at improving traffic conditions, safety, and mobility along the corridor. The draft recommendations cover areas such as:

Interchange reconfigurations
Roadway widening
Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technology
Access improvements for freight movement
Transit and multimodal enhancements
Safety upgrades at high-incident locations

These solutions were developed using the PEL process, which links transportation planning with future environmental review steps—streamlining project implementation and reducing duplication.

Visit the Project Meeting Materials Page to review handouts, maps, and displays from the current public meetings.

🗓️ Final Public Meetings: Your Chance to Weigh In

Public input is essential to shaping which projects move forward—and how they are prioritized. The 85 Study team is hosting several in-person public meetings and community events across Gwinnett County to share draft plans and gather feedback.

📊 How the 85 Study Was Conducted

The study followed the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) methodology—a nationally recognized approach that incorporates early public involvement, stakeholder coordination, and environmental analysis into the planning phase.

This process enhances transparency and helps reduce the time and cost of future construction projects by aligning decisions early on. Specifically, the 85 Study focused on:

Identifying existing and future transportation issues
Assessing environmental concerns early
Engaging stakeholders and the public
Evaluating a range of multimodal and infrastructure alternatives
Creating a plan for implementation and funding

🧩 Vision, Goals & Objectives of the 85 Study

The vision for the I-85 corridor is clear:

“I-85 will provide safe, reliable interstate travel for people and goods as part of a connected, efficient transportation network while creating value for surrounding communities.”

Primary Goals of the 85 Study:

Improve Safety
- Reduce crashes and enhance emergency response
Improve Vehicular Mobility
- Reduce congestion and increase peak-hour travel speed
Facilitate Commercial Travel
- Enhance freight access and logistics reliability
Evaluate Multimodal Options
- Integrate with local transit and non-motorized transportation
Support Georgia’s Economy
- Boost local business and minimize construction disruptions
Support Community Connectivity
- Enhance neighborhood access and minimize environmental impact

Each goal is backed by specific objectives used to screen potential project ideas and ensure alignment with the corridor’s long-term vision.

🤝 A Collaborative Effort

The success of the 85 Study has hinged on robust stakeholder engagement. Input from residents, agencies, businesses, and advocacy groups has shaped every phase of the study.

Stakeholder Committees included:

Project Management Team (PMT)
Executive Committee
GDOT Internal Review Committee
PEL Committee
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Key Organization Committee

A critical milestone was the Vision Meeting held in May 2019, which laid the foundation for the study’s guiding principles.

📬 How to Provide Your Feedback

If you can’t attend in person, you can still review the study documents and provide input online:

🔗 View the Meeting Boards
📝 Take the Public Survey
📄 Download the Project Handout

Your feedback will be used to refine the final recommendations and prioritize which projects advance into the next phases, including environmental review and eventual construction.

📈 What Happens Next?

Once the public feedback window closes, GDOT and Gwinnett County will:

Finalize the list of recommended projects
Use PEL documentation to streamline environmental compliance
Identify funding opportunities, including federal, state, and local sources
Develop detailed project scopes, timelines, and construction plans

Some projects may qualify for categorical exclusions, while others may require an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

🌍 Final Thoughts: Let’s Build a Smarter I-85 Together

The 85 Study represents more than just infrastructure—it’s about building a smarter, safer, and more connected future for Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, and the entire metro Atlanta region.

From commuters and families to business owners and freight operators, everyone benefits from a well-planned I-85 corridor.

Now is the time to get involved. Attend a meeting. Fill out the survey. Tell a friend. Help shape the future of I-85.

🔗 Visit the 85 Study Website to Learn More

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