I-16 Widening and Improvement

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0017515
Type: Intersection Improvement
Project Length: 0.7 miles
Affected Counties: Chatham
Condemning Authority: Chatham County
Estimated Affected Parcels: 15+
Estimated Cost: $50,508,619
Right-of-Way Funds: $3,788,000

Description

Chatham County will widen and improve a 0.7-mile section of I-16 (Jim L Gillis Sr. Memorial Hwy), where it passes under Bloomingdale Road/Little Neck Road (State Route 17, also known as the Jimmy Deloach Parkway). The project will adjust the ramp length and modify the interchange to a diverging diamond design. The ramp intersections will be signalized, and the bridge over I-16 will be replaced.

Within the project limits, a 10-foot shared-use path will be added to SR 17 over I-16. The bridge will have two 14-foot travel lanes and a 15-foot lane, as well as 4-foot shoulders. Mechanically stabilized earth walls will be built along the outside shoulder of I-16 and along the eastbound on-ramp from SR 17.

For property owners in the project corridor, though the county currently owns significant right-of-way, it will take more. Before you agree to sell your land to the government, contact an eminent domain attorney to make sure you are being treated fairly!

Property Owner Concerns

Interchange and bridge construction and modification can be much more property intensive than it may appear. Double-diamond interchanges require significantly more land than the current older entry-exit design. The Little Ogeechee River also somewhat limits the county’s options, meaning local properties are more likely to be taken.

And the taking of land is just the beginning. While some property owners may lose some or all of their properties, others will lose the right to use them. Many types of easements can rob property owners of their ability to use and enjoy their land. Slope and drainage easements can permanently alter topography. Utility easements can deter development and improvements. Temporary construction easements can feel anything but temporary.

In addition to the damages to their property overall, owners can suffer damage to the remaining land. The government can cause harm by inverse condemnation as well – taking land or rights without offering any compensation. More than 15 parcels are affected by this project. If yours is one of them, call 1-888-391-1339 now.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

There’s still time to exercise your rights if you have not accepted the government’s initial offer. The government has allocated nearly $4 million to compensate property owners, but it will try to buy your property for as little as possible. In many cases, the initial offer is often significantly lower than the value of what’s taken. You are not required to accept the government’s initial offer!

You have the right to fair compensation for property the government takes – even projects that claim to increase the value of surrounding property may ultimately do more harm to yours than good. “Fair” compensation could be significantly more than the first offer. Compensation for lost business income or expenses like relocation are almost never included in those offers. We can help you fight for them!

As long as you do not accept the initial offer, you can fight for more, and we can help. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not take an attorney’s fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – our no-fee guarantee. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you.

Project Maps

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 1

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 2

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 3

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 4

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 5

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 6

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 7

I-16 Widening and Improvement Map 8

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – 2025

Start Construction – 2026

End Construction – 2040+

Affected Parcels

More than 15 parcels of property will be affected by I-16/SR 17 Interchange Improvements project in Chatham County. Property owners may lose significant amounts of land and/or property rights, representing significant financial value and usability. It is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

Call us at 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

Contact Us

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

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